Yunus Students Bangladesh Dreams, Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s new acting leader, has stated unequivocally that he will support the youth of the nation in realizing their dreams. Following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina‘s abrupt departure, the 84-year-old Nobel laureate and well-known social entrepreneur has assumed the position of acting head of state in the interim. Students approached Yunus, who was well-known for his creative contributions to microfinance, and asked for advice during the political turbulence. He was adamant about taking the lead because he wanted to safeguard the aspirations and hopes of the next generation.
“This is not my revolution, nor was it my dream,” Yunus explains during a private briefing for select journalists at his office in the Jamuna State House. “But I’m doing this because it’s what the youth of the country wanted. I want to help them make it come true.”
Yunus was sworn in as interim leader on Thursday after a series of student-led protests forced the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government. The immediate challenge Yunus faces is the country’s deteriorating security situation. The violence that accompanied the protests resulted in over 400 deaths, a police strike, and significant damage to police stations, which has severely disrupted law and order.
“Law and order is the first priority, so people can go back to their daily lives and work,” Yunus asserts. As police started to return to the streets on Monday, the first steps toward reestablishing normalcy were visible. But security is only one of the numerous problems Yunus has to deal with. He calls the state that Sheikh Hasina left behind “a complete mess,” denouncing the management of the previous government as essentially faulty and nonsensical.
Despite the chaos, Yunus remains optimistic. He views this moment as an opportunity for renewal and reform. “There is lots of hope,” he says. “Finally, this moment, the monster is gone. There is excitement about what’s to come.”
The initial spark for the protests was a call for reform of a quota system in public sector jobs reserved for the relatives of war heroes. Hasina’s resignation was called for more widely after a violent crackdown by security forces and this desire for reform intensified. Yunus agrees that reform is desperately needed, especially in areas like speech freedom, which was severely curtailed during Hasina’s administration. He himself faced persecution, having been sentenced to six months in jail in what he claims was a politically motivated case against him.
One of Yunus’s key reforms includes giving students a formal role in government. Each ministry will include a student representative, recognizing their crucial role in the recent political upheaval. Students Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, who led the anti-government protests, are already part of Yunus’s cabinet.
Another significant reform involves the judiciary. Yunus has criticized the judiciary for failing to act independently and alleged that it took orders from higher authorities. The chief justice is currently under pressure from students to step down, which is indicative of the desire for a more independent and responsible legal system.
Yunus acknowledges that his tenure will involve tough decisions that may not please everyone. However, he is determined to leverage his experience in managing organizations to bring positive change. “I’m not saying I can run a government perfectly,” Yunus says. “But I have experience running organizations, and I will bring that experience to bear. We will face challenges, but we must move forward.”
As he starts this new chapter, Yunus’s priorities remain addressing pressing problems, implementing reforms, and directing Bangladesh toward stability and progress. His leadership marks a momentous shift in the history of the country, with hopes that his efforts will pave the way for a better future for Bangladesh and its citizens.
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