Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the chief adviser to the interim government in Bangladesh, the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced on Tuesday.
In a video posted on social media early Tuesday morning, Nahid Islam, one of the key coordinators of the movement, confirmed that Prof Yunus has accepted the crucial role at the request of the student community, as reported by the Daily Star newspaper.
"We took 24 hours to announce a framework for the interim government. However, considering the emergency situation, we are announcing it now," said Nahid. "We have decided that the interim government would be formed with internationally renowned Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, who has wide acceptability, as the chief adviser," Nahid added, flanked by two other coordinators.
The announcement came hours after President Mohammed Shahabuddin declared that an interim government would be formed after the dissolution of parliament as soon as possible. In a televised address to the nation late Monday night, the president also ordered the release of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who is under house arrest after being convicted in several cases.
Nahid urged the president to expedite the formation of an interim government headed by Dr Yunus and promised that the names of the other members of the interim government would be announced soon.
Addressing the widespread violence, Nahid attributed it to "ousted fascists and their collaborators" attempting to thwart the revolution. "As there is anarchy in the country and insecurity over people's lives, we are urging the president to take immediate and effective steps to restore law and order. Freedom-seeking students will also be on the streets to assist law enforcement forces," he added.
"No government other than the one proposed by the students will be accepted. As we have said, no military government, or one backed by the military, or a government of fascists, will be accepted," Nahid asserted.
Bangladesh descended into chaos on Monday as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country in a military aircraft, while the army stepped in to fill the power vacuum.
As news of Hasina's departure spread, hundreds of people broke into her residence, vandalising and looting the interiors, providing a dramatic expression to the anti-government protests that have killed more than 300 people in a fortnight.
Hasina's residence, Sudha Sadan, along with other establishments, were attacked, vandalised, and set on fire in the capital following her departure. Residences and business establishments of ministers, party MPs, and leaders of Hasina's Awami League government were also attacked in Dhaka and other locations outside the capital.
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