Bangladesh Protest News Highlights: Muhammad Yunus appointed head of interim government

Khaleda Zia, the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, is set to be released from house arrest following anti-government protests that ousted her long-time rival, Sheikh Hasina. Zia, who leads the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been largely absent from politics in recent years due to health issues, including liver disease, diabetes, and heart problems.

Born on August 15, 1945, Zia's entry into politics was marked by tragedy when her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, was assassinated in 1981. She took the reins of his conservative party, the BNP, in 1984, vowing to continue his mission of economic liberation for Bangladesh.

Zia's political career was marked by a significant milestone in 1990 when she joined forces with Hasina to overthrow military ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad. Although their alliance was short-lived, Zia went on to win Bangladesh's first free election in 1991, becoming the country's first female Prime Minister and the second woman to lead a democratic government in a predominantly Muslim nation, after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto.

The United States has expressed serious concerns over ongoing violence in Bangladesh, including attacks on religious and political groups. “We are deeply concerned about continued reports of violence,” a State Department spokesperson said, stressing the need for thorough investigations and justice.

The crisis escalated after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned following widespread protests, with over 300 deaths reported. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre urged the interim government to be democratic and inclusive, praising the military's restraint and calling for an end to violence.

The Hindu American Foundation reported attacks on Hindu temples, with Anita Joshi emphasizing the need for protection of religious minorities. “We urge local law enforcement to ensure the safety of all religious minorities,” Joshi said. The HAF also called on the US State Department to support Bangladesh’s interim government in safeguarding religious communities.

— With PTI inputs

Bangladesh is facing an escalating political crisis following the dissolution of Parliament and the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of the interim government. The country remains unsettled due to ongoing student protests, with families of victims presenting an 11-point demand to the new administration, which includes rehabilitation and employment opportunities.

Former Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty suggested potential foreign involvement in the crisis, stating that India will "wait and watch" the unfolding events. Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, has controversially labeled the protesters as "terrorists" and "militants," arguing they do not represent a secular democratic force.

Adding to the unrest, former Premier Khaleda Zia, a longtime rival of Hasina, has been released from jail. Meanwhile, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, a state minister from the ousted Awami League government, was detained at Dhaka airport. These developments highlight the complex and volatile political landscape in Bangladesh, characterized by heightened tensions, civil unrest, and allegations of foreign interference.

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist, has been appointed as the head of Bangladesh's interim government, according to the PTI. Yunus, known as the "Banker to the Poor," founded Grameen Bank in 1983 after successfully scaling up a local microcredit experiment.

The bank, which provides collateral-free loans, has distributed over $34 billion to nearly 10 million people, achieving a recovery rate of more than 97%, as reported by the Daily Sun last year.

Grameen Bank's innovative microcredit model has been replicated by banks in over 100 countries worldwide. In 2006, Yunus and Grameen Bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to promote economic and social development from the grassroots level. Yunus's leadership and vision have made significant contributions to alleviating poverty and empowering the underserved.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to hold a rally in Naya Paltan, Dhaka on Wednesday. BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman will be the chief guest and address the event, reported Prothom Alo.

The party announced the rally in a press release on Tuesday, stating that besides Rahman, several central BNP leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will also speak at the rally.

Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of the interim government, President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin said in a statement, Prothom Alo reported.

The decision came after a meeting on Tuesday night at Bangabhaban in Dhaka, which included leaders from Students Against Discrimination, the president, the chiefs of the three armed forces, and two Dhaka University professors.

Abedin also stated that additional members of the government will be selected through consultations with various political parties, Prothom Alo reported.

The 13-member team from Students Against Discrimination participated in the meeting, which also included Dhaka University professors Asif Nazrul from the law department and Tanzim Uddin from the IER department.

At least 24 people, including an Indonesian national, were burnt alive at Zabir International Hotel in Bangladesh after a mob attacked the establishment owned by Shahin Chakkladar, a leader of the Awami League party. This incident occurred following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and departure from the country, according to local journalists and hospital sources on Tuesday.

The attack, which took place late on Monday night, saw the mob set fire to the hotel in Joshor district, resulting in the deaths of 24 individuals, as confirmed by doctors at Joshor General Hospital. There are concerns that more bodies might be found amidst the debris.

The fire, which started on the hotel's ground floor, rapidly spread to upper floors. Reports indicate that similar attacks were carried out nationwide, with mobs targeting residences and businesses associated with Awami League leaders and activists, including the party's central office in Dhaka's Bangabandhu Avenue.

Bangladesh has plunged into chaos following Hasina's resignation and secretive flight to India, with the military now stepping in to manage the power vacuum.

China's Foreign Ministry has expressed its close monitoring of the situation in Bangladesh after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. In a statement, the ministry highlighted China’s role as a “friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic cooperative partner” and conveyed hopes for a swift restoration of social stability in the country.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday met with the key coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement at the Bangabhaban to discuss the current situation and the shape of the interim government, media reports said.

Prothom Alo reported that the meeting started on Tuesday evening.

"A group of 13 members of the anti-discrimination student movement is holding a meeting with the President and the three armed forces chiefs at Bangabhaban regarding the current situation and the shape of the interim government," the paper said.

President Shahabuddin earlier in the day dissolved the parliament to make way for the formation of an interim administration.

-- With PTI inputs

The Tata Group-owned airline Vistara operates two daily flights from the national capital to Dhaka.

According to an official, Vistara will be operating services as per schedule from Wednesday. Vistara operates daily flights from Mumbai and three weekly services from Delhi to Dhaka.

-- With PTI inputs

Air India to operate its evening Delhi-Dhaka-Delhi sector flights today (August 6). The airline in a statement on X said, "Air India will operate its evening flights AI237/238 on the Delhi-Dhaka-Delhi sector on 6 August 2024. In addition, due to the prevailing situation in Dhaka."

The statement further added: "The airline is offering a one-time waiver on rescheduling to customers, with confirmed bookings on any Air India flight to and from Dhaka between 4th and 7th August 2024, if they desire to do so. The tickets would have to be booked on or prior to 5th August."

Former state minister of telecommunication and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak was detained by airport authorities, as reported by Prothom Alo.

According to Prothom Alo the former minister along with his two aides, arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 3:00 pm.

He was stopped from boarding the plane and was taken into custody by immigration officials.

The death toll in Bangladesh on Tuesday climbed to 440, with 100 more deaths reported after Sheikh Hasina fled the country, as per the local media, even as efforts were on by the army to bring the situation under control in the violence-hit nation.

There were signs of a return to normalcy on Tuesday, with police and army patrolling the streets, BDNews24.com news said and added that schools were reopened after a long period of closure due to protests against Hasina over a controversial job quota system.

Bangladesh's newspaper Prothom Alo reported that at least 109 people were killed in clashes in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, during the anti-discrimination student movement on Monday.

-- With PTI inputs

"Our understanding is that Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina made the decision to resign after meeting with leaders of security establishment."

He said 19,000 Indians are in Bangladesh of which 9,000 are students.

- "India border guards asked to remain exceptionally alert in light of Bangladesh situation."

The Kolkata-Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express will remain cancelled on Wednesday due to the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh, the Eastern Railway said.

Citing a message from Bangladesh Railways, the ER said on Tuesday the services of Maitree Express, which has not been operational since July 19, will not resume services on Wednesday. The operations of bi-weekly Kolkata-Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express have also remained suspended since July 21

Bangladesh's army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman was due to meet student leaders at 12 pm to discuss the formation of an interim government that is expected to hold elections soon after it takes over. Zaman had announced Hasina's resignation on Monday.

It was not immediately clear if the meeting had taken place and if the students' deadline to dissolve parliament came after the meeting, says Reuters.

Bangladesh's protesting student leaders demanded on Tuesday that parliament be dissolved and warned a "strict programme" would be launched if their deadline is not met, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country.

The student leaders said in a video on Facebook that parliament should be dissolved by 3 p.m. (0900 GMT) on Tuesday and asked "revolutionary students to be ready" if that did not happen.

Bangladesh student protest coordinators, in a Facebook video released early this morning, called for the formation of a new interim government with Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus as its chief adviser.

Agreeing to this, Yunus' spokesperson said he will take up the role. Yunus who is currently an advisor for the 2024 Paris Olympics is expected to return to Bangladesh “immediately” after a minor medical procedures, his spokesperson was quoted as saying.

After a day of escalating political tension, President Mohammed Shahabuddin late on Monday asked all the political parties to normalise the law and order situation in the country. He also directed the armed forces to take stern measures to protect the lives and properties of the people and state assets.

Now, the curfew ended at 6 am this morning allowing all government offices and educational institutions to reopen. Schools and colleges reopened today following a long period of closure due to violence surrounding the student movement.

But, there was a low attendance recorded in educational institutions in Dhaka, as per the Dhaka Tribune newspaper.

"The institution is open, and some girls have come, but attendance is low. Attendance will increase in a couple of days," Md Rahamot Ullah, principal of Kisholoy Girls' School and College in the Mohammadpur area of the capital, was quoted as saying by the paper.

Traffic was lighter than usual in the usually chaotic streets of Dhaka and schools reopened with thin attendance after closing down in mid-July as protests against quotas in government jobs spiralled.

A curfew which was in effect from Monday midnight ended at 6am today after which all government offices and education institutions have reopened, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) was quoted by the Dhaka Tribune.

About 300 people were killed (according to Reuters) and thousands injured in violence that ripped through the protests in the neighbouring country

Garment factories, which supply apparel to some of world's top brands and are a mainstay of the economy, will remain closed on Tuesday and plans to reopen will be announced later, the main garment manufacturers association said.

While Air India cancelled its morning flight to Dhaka, IndiGo and Vistara have cancelled all their flights to the Bangladesh capital today.

Rahul Gandhi asked whether the Indian government has any idea about Sheikh Hasina’s plans. To this, Jaishankar said

India has spoken to Sheikh Hasina on her future course of action. It cannot be disclosed at the moment, he said.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asked if the government has any information about the role of any outside forces in the Bangladesh developments.

To this, MEA Jaishankar said all that the Indian government has is, an “information about a Pakistan diplomat’s changed DP that shows his support to the uprising” sourced told The Indian Express.

MEA S Jaishankar who briefed party leaders at a meeting this morning said: India is maintaining a wait and watch strategy while keeping its army on the alert in the wake of developments in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Jaishankar spoke on all the possible impact that developments in Bangladesh can have on india. He also spoke about what will India’s strategy be if there is interference from outside, sources told The Indian Express.

The union minister informed the floor leaders who held a meeting in Parliament House today morning that New Delhi is in touch with Bangladesh Army and alerted the Indian Army. “Work is underway to ensure the safety and security of our country."

Nahid Islam is a sociology student who spearheaded the protest that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 15 straight years in power.

The 26-year-old was the coordinator of a student movement against quotas in government jobs that morphed into an oust-Hasina campaign. He rose to national fame in mid-July after police detained him and some other Dhaka University students as the protests turned deadly.

On Monday as the political crisis escalated, at least 135 people were killed in Bangladesh in incidents of police firings, mob beatings, and arson across the country, according to Dhaka Tribune.

Prothom Alo, citing Dhaka Medical College Hospital sources, said 500 people were brought to the hospital with various injuries including gunshot wounds. Around 70 of them have been admitted to hospital.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at the Hindon Indian Air Force base in Ghaziabad on Monday evening where she was received by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

Hasina was accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana as they fled her Dhaka residence before resigning as the PM.

Now, the former PM is likely to continue staying here until she gets asylum in the United Kingdom.

In a video posted on social media early this morning, Nahid Islam who i one of the key coordinators of the movement was seen speaking and putting forth demands about the new interim government to be formed soon by the Bangladeshi Army.

Here's what he said, as per Daily Sun:

Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has agreed to take on this crucial responsibility at the call of the student community to save the country.

"We took 24 hours to announce a framework for the interim government. However, considering the emergency situation, we are announcing it now. 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."

Urging Bangladesh's President to take steps soon, he said the names of the other members of the interim government would be announced soon. "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 in the country, and that freedom-seeking students will also be on the streets to assist law enforcement forces. 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 said.

Good morning

Stay tuned as we bring you real-time updates from the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh.

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is in India right now. New Delhi gears up to deal with new challenges presented by the new Dhaka as a decision on the new interim government by the Bangladesh Army is expected.