New Delhi: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as the chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, following the dramatic fall of the Awami League-led government of Sheikh Hasina.
Along with Yunus, President Mohammad Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to 13 additional advisers on Thursday (August 8) evening in Dhaka. The interim government will consist of 16 advisers led by chief adviser Yunus.
Those in the interim government include lawyers, activists, doctors, student activists, among others: Salehuddin Ahmed (former governor of Bangladesh Bank), M Sakhawat Hossain (former election commissioner of Bangladesh), Md Nazrul Islam (law professor, researcher and civil society activist), Adilur Rahman Khan (human rights activist), AF Hassan Ariff (senior advocate of Supreme Court), Md Touhid Hossain (former foreign secretary of Bangladesh), Syeda Rizwana Hasan (chief executive of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association), Supradip Chakma (chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board), Farida Akhter (development researcher), Bidhan Ranjan Roy (psychologist), Sharmeen Murshid (human rights activist), AFM Khalid Hossain (Bangladeshi Deobandi Islamic scholar), Farooq-e-Azam (freedom fighter), Nurjahan Begum (former managing director of Grameen Bank), Nahid Islam (student activist), and Asif Mahmud (coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination Movement).
Except for Supradip Chakma, Bidhan Ranjan Roy and Faruk-e-Azam, all others are sworn in. Three of them could not be administered the oath due to their unavailability in the national capital.
Speaking at the swearing-in event, Yunus said, “I will uphold, support and protect the constitution and will perform my duties sincerely.”
Yunus (84) is celebrated for his pioneering work in microfinance through the Grameen Bank, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. His appointment at the helm of affairs raises hopes of a nation bruised by the 15-year authoritarian rule of Sheikh Hasina.
The fall of Hasina was preceded by nationwide protest demonstrations by student groups opposing quotas in government jobs. The violent crackdown by police, at the behest of Hasina, claimed 400 lives.
