In a significant turn of events, Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has confirmed the legality of the recent high-profile resignations of officials closely associated with ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This decision came following ultimatums issued by student leaders who orchestrated protests against Hasina's administration.
The country witnessed a wave of resignations, including the chief justice, five justices, and the central bank governor, in the aftermath of widespread demonstrations against a government job quota system that escalated into a mass uprising. Hasina herself resigned and sought refuge in India last week.
Yunus emphasized the interim government's commitment to restoring the independence of the judiciary, criticizing former chief justice Obaidul Hassan as 'just a hangman.' Syed Refaat Ahmed has been appointed as the new chief justice, proposed by the student leaders who spearheaded the protests.
The student activists have vowed to overhaul the political landscape tainted by what they perceive as Hasina's autocratic rule. The protests, marked by weeks of violence, resulted in the loss of over 300 lives, including students and law enforcement officers.
Yunus assumed leadership on Thursday following an appeal from the student leaders, who expressed their trust in him as the only viable candidate. Describing the movement as a 'student-led revolution,' Yunus acknowledged his role in supporting their aspirations to reshape the governance structure.
The interim government is anticipated to announce a fresh election, although the timeline for this electoral process remains uncertain.
Yunus, a renowned economist and banker recognized for his pioneering work in microcredit initiatives for the impoverished, faced scrutiny from Hasina's administration in 2008. Allegations of financial impropriety, including unauthorized receipt of funds such as his Nobel Prize and book royalties, led to a trial in 2013. Yunus has consistently refuted these claims, with his supporters attributing the legal challenges to his strained relationship with Hasina.
