President Mohammed Shahabuddin has dissolved Parliament, addressing a key demand of the student protesters who have been rallying against the current government. “The president has dissolved parliament,” confirmed Shiplu Zaman, the president’s press secretary, in an official statement.
The dissolution follows intense protests led by student groups, who have now called for Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus to head an interim government. Nahid Islam, a key organizer of the protests, announced this demand, emphasizing Yunus’s credibility and popularity among the Bangladeshi public.
Muhammad Yunus, currently in Paris for the Olympics, described Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as the country’s “second liberation day.” A long-time opponent of the now-toppled leader, Yunus had faced accusations of corruption under her government—a move he claimed was driven by political vengeance. Yunus, renowned for his pioneering work in microlending, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.
Student leaders have unanimously expressed their desire for Yunus to be the chief adviser to the interim government. A spokesperson for Yunus confirmed that he has agreed to this role. “The protesters will propose more names for the cabinet, and it will be difficult for those in power to ignore their wishes,” stated Nahid Islam, leader of Students Against Discrimination.
Here are some fast facts about Muhammad Yunus:
– The 84-year-old and his Grameen Bank won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for their work to lift millions out of poverty by granting microloans of under $100 to the rural poor of Bangladesh.
– Yunus had been a target of scathing verbal attacks from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, once seen as a political rival.
– Hasina’s administration was known for its stringent crackdown on political dissent, viewing Yunus’s popularity as a threat.
– Accused of corruption during Hasina’s rule, Yunus maintained that the charges were politically motivated.
– In August 2023, 160 global figures, including former US President Barack Obama and ex-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, published a joint letter denouncing the “continuous judicial harassment” of Yunus.
– In January, Yunus and three colleagues from Grameen Telecom were accused and convicted of violating Bangladesh’s labor laws, a case they are currently appealing.
In a significant development, the Bangladesh Police Association has declared a strike, demanding assurance of their security amidst the ongoing political turmoil. “Until the security of every member of the police is secured, we are declaring a strike,” the association, which represents thousands of police officers, stated.
The political landscape of Bangladesh is poised for significant changes as the nation navigates through this period of unrest and calls for new leadership.
