Muhammad Yunus Vows Crackdown on Conspirators Amid Deadly Unrest in Bangladesh
In his first address after being sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus vowed to take decisive action against those spreading “anarchy” amid ongoing violence in the country. Yunus, 84, took office after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India, following weeks of intense protests that have left over 560 people dead since mid-July.
Yunus, now the chief adviser, equivalent to prime minister, emphasized that the government would use the full force of law to restore order. He described the unrest as an attempt to undermine Bangladesh’s “second independence,” referencing the student-led uprising that contributed to Hasina’s ouster.
A 16-member council of advisers, including prominent student leaders Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, was sworn in to assist Yunus. The interim government will oversee the transition to an elected administration. Yunus expressed gratitude to the youth, praising their role in the protest movement and calling the regime change a day of “pride” for the nation.
The U.S. welcomed Yunus’s call for an end to violence, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressing readiness to support Bangladesh’s democratic transition. Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina’s team has reportedly fled to undisclosed locations abroad, with India providing temporary refuge.
The situation remains volatile, with targeted attacks on Hindus reported and more than 7,200 Indian students evacuated amid the escalating violence. The Indian government continues to monitor the safety of its citizens in Bangladesh.
