Bangladesh student leaders have proposed that the interim government have Nobel Laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus as its chief advisor. The protest coordinators, in a video released early on Tuesday, said Yunus has agreed to the suggestion, considering the present situation of the country.
The suggestion comes as Bangladesh army chief plans to meet the protest coordinators at 12 pm local time on Tuesday, the army said in a statement.
Nahid Islam, one of the key coordinators of the movement, said in the video: "We have decided that the interim government would be formed in which internationally renowned Nobel Laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus, who has wide acceptability, would be the chief adviser," Nahid announced. "We want to see the process rolling by the morning. We urge the president to take steps as soon as possible to form an interim government headed by Dr Yunus," Nahid added.
Dr Mohammad Yunus | X
"Any government other than the one we recommended would not be accepted," Nahid added. "We wouldn't accept any army-supported or army-led government."
The student leader added that they would announce the names of the remaining members of the interim government by morning.
Bangladesh today has showed the world how to deal with a fascist and dictatorship.#SheikhHasina #BangladeshViolence pic.twitter.com/gzs33rt2Vc
— Dhruv Rathee (Parody) (@dhruvrahtee) August 5, 2024
Yunus, 84, and his Grameen Bank won the 2006 Nobel Peace prize for work to lift millions out of poverty by granting tiny loans of under $100 to the rural poor of Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin has ordered the release of jailed former prime minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia. The 78-year-old former Prime Minister of Bangladesh is reportedly in poor health and confined to a hospital after she was sentenced to 17 years in prison for graft in 2018.
Shahabuddin added that a decision has been taken to form an interim government as soon as possible by dissolving parliament. "The army will also take measures to normalise the prevailing anarchic situation," the president said. He has also ordered the release of all students arrested during the ongoing protests.
Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Monday held a meeting with several political party leaders and civil society members at the Army Headquarters. After the meeting, he announced the formation of an interim government. The Army chief has also said that justice would be ensured for all killings. "Keep trust in the army," he said, calling on everyone to shun the path of violence and return home.
"I'm taking all responsibility (of the country). Please cooperate," Zaman added.
