BN Report
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement wants Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to serve as the chief advisor to the interim government.
In a video message at 4:10am on Tuesday, Nahid Islam, a key coordinator of the movement, revealed the name of the Nobel Laureate and said more information about the rest of the government would be disclosed later in the morning.
Although it was stated during a press conference at 8:30pm that an outline of the interim government would be given within 24 hours, this video message was released on the social media platform Facebook early in the morning.
Earlier on Monday night, Nahid had announced that an outline for an interim government would be formulated within the next 24 hours. Two other key coordinators Asif Mahmud and Abu Bakar Mazumdar were also present in the video.
However, as widespread violence persisted throughout the night, the coordinators decided to announce their stance as quickly as possible, even in the middle of the night.
According to Nahid, Yunus has agreed to their proposal to restore peace.
However, amid intense protests, after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country, Yunus dismissed rumours of entering active politics during an interview with the Indian news outlet, The Print. Currently in Paris, Yunus said, “I am not the type to enter politics.”
Nevertheless, coordinator Nahid emphasised in the video statement that the Nobel laureate has agreed to the proposal from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
He said, “We have decided that internationally renowned Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus will be appointed as the chief advisor in the interim government, and we have also spoken with Dr Muhammad Yunus. He has agreed to take on this significant responsibility in response to the call of the students and public to safeguard Bangladesh.”
Nahid commented on their overnight message, “After our uprising and revolution, fascists and their allies are causing chaos and sabotage. Shooting is still happening in various places. Temples are being attacked, and looting and sabotage are occurring. This sabotage is being orchestrated to thwart our uprising.”
In the video lasting over three minutes, Nahid said, “We are urging the freedom-seeking student-public to remain alert and vigilant. We had taken 24 hours to propose an interim government. According to the urgency of the situation, we are now announcing an outline.
“We want to see the process of forming this government by morning. There will be a call to the president to swiftly form an interim government with Dr Muhammad Yunus as the chief advisor. And we will also announce the rest of the members of the interim government by morning.”
He added a call to end ongoing anarchy, saying, “Due to the ongoing chaos and insecurity in people’s lives, we are urging the president to take effective measures to restore law and order promptly, and the freedom-seeking student-public will support the law enforcement on the streets.”
Nahid said the students and members of the public must remain on the streets to protect the uprising until an interim government is formed.
“We have shed blood, we have become martyrs. We must fulfil our promise to form a new Bangladesh. And we will not accept any government other than the one proposed by the student-public.”
He also called on the committee on the protection of communal harmony and state assets to keep watch in every neighbourhood. “We must protect our minority community and our state assets, and our country.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday night gave his nod to form an interim government to run the country following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.
This decision was made during a meeting at Bangabhaban after discussing the current situation with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, leaders of various political parties, and members of civil society, according to a press release signed by Muhammad Shiplu Zaman, Assistant Press Secretary of Bangabhaban.
The Army has been tasked with stopping the vandalism and ensuring law enforcement, which deteriorated severely after Sheikh Hasina left the country Monday afternoon.
Earlier in the afternoon, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman held a meeting with several political party leaders and civil society members at the Army Headquarters. After the meeting, he told the media that the formation of an interim government had been decided and would take effect shortly after discussions with the president.
In a press briefing after the meeting, the army chief said justice would be ensured for all killings and injustices.
“Keep trust in the army,” he said, calling on everyone to shun the path of violence and return home.
