Dhaka, Bangladesh – The recent resignations of high-ranking officials in Bangladesh have sparked a wave of change in the country’s political landscape. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, has affirmed the legality of these resignations following pressure from student leaders who organized protests against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Yunus, 83, addressed a group of journalists on Sunday night, stating that all steps taken in response to the student-led protests were in accordance with the law. The resignations of the chief justice, five justices, and central bank governor signal a significant shift in power dynamics after weeks of demonstrations against a government job quota system escalated into a mass uprising. Hasina herself resigned and fled to India last week.
One of the interim government’s primary objectives, according to Yunus, is to restore the independence of the judiciary. He criticized former chief justice Obaidul Hassan, referring to him as „just a hangman.“ Syed Refaat Ahmed has been appointed as the new chief justice, following a recommendation from student leaders involved in the protests.
The student activists have vowed to cleanse the political system of what they perceive as Hasina’s autocratic rule. The violent clashes between protesters and security forces resulted in the deaths of over 300 individuals, including students and police officers. Yunus, who assumed leadership of the interim government after being approached by student leaders, emphasized his commitment to supporting their vision for change.
Describing the movement as a „student-led revolution,“ Yunus acknowledged the students‘ role in dismantling the existing government structure. He expressed his willingness to assist in realizing their aspirations for a more democratic system. The interim government is anticipated to announce a new election, although the timeline for this remains uncertain.
Yunus, a renowned economist and founder of the Grameen Bank, has a history of tension with Hasina’s administration. In 2008, he faced investigations and legal challenges related to his financial activities, including allegations of receiving funds without government approval. Despite these controversies, Yunus has maintained his innocence, with supporters attributing the accusations to political motives stemming from his strained relationship with Hasina.
As Bangladesh navigates this period of transition and uncertainty, the actions of the interim government under Yunus’s leadership will be closely scrutinized. The country’s future trajectory hinges on the successful implementation of reforms and the establishment of a more inclusive and transparent political system.