Dhaka: Bangladesh has embraced the new interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who assumed office on August 8. Yunus, at 84, has been appointed as the chief advisor, a role akin to a prime minister, following the abrupt resignation of Sheikh Hasina amid widespread protests over a controversial job quota system.
The interim government’s advisory council includes notable figures such as women’s rights activist Farida Akhtar, Hefazat-e-Islam’s deputy chief AFM Khalid Hossain, Grameen Telecom trustee Nurjahan Begum, freedom fighter Sharmeen Murshid, and academic and legal experts like Prof Bidhan Ranjan Roy and former foreign secretary Touhid Hossain.
Dhaka University Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury highlighted the interim government’s critical tasks: restoring order, ensuring citizen safety, and eliminating oppression. The primary responsibility is to oversee fair elections, facilitating a democratic transition of power.
Eminent jurist Kamal Hossain noted the widespread support for Yunus’s appointment, expressing hopes for substantial reforms and addressing current crises. Barrister Sara Hossain called for significant institutional reforms and transparency about past events, though she raised concerns about the lack of political balance in the new government.
Samina Luthfa, associate professor at Dhaka University, acknowledged the inclusion of student leaders as a positive step but questioned whether the interim government’s members possess the necessary skills for comprehensive reform. She also suggested that more representatives from minority and women’s groups could enhance the government’s effectiveness.
Despite these concerns, Luthfa recognised the government’s challenges and emphasised the need for prioritising citizen safety, justice, and economic stability during this transitional period.