Muhammad Yunus, Head of Bangladesh Interim Government, officially designated as Chief Adviser, said Tuesday that the interim government’s primary objective is to ensure human rights and freedom of speech for all citizens. His remarks were made during a visit to the iconic Dhakeshwari National Temple. “We have to establish human rights and freedom of speech. That is our prime goal,” Prof Yunus stated during his visit.
Addressing the Hindu community there, Yunus urged them to regard themselves as integral members of the nation, according to local media reports.
VIDEO | Bangladesh interim government’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus visited Dhakeshwari National Temple, a Hindu temple, in Dhaka earlier today.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/P7PeVhHaux
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 13, 2024
“You simply say that you are human, a citizen of Bangladesh, and this is your constitutional right that must be ensured. Just demand this, nothing more,” he advised.
He reiterated the principle of equality before the law, stating, “I am here to say we are all equal; there is no scope to create any differences here.”
VIDEO | Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government in Bangladesh, addresses a gathering at Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/dv5TRARJn4) pic.twitter.com/OqusOGe2jv
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 13, 2024
Prof Yunus appealed for public support in upholding the rule of law, saying, “Please help us to establish that, have patience, and judge later whether we could do that or not. If we cannot do that, then blame us. That is the main thing”, as quoted by Dhaka Tribune.
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Yunus On ‘Student-Led Revolution’ In Bangladesh
Earlier, on Monday, Prof Yunus described the ongoing political developments in Bangladesh as a “student-led revolution” following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Speaking at a news briefing, the Nobel laureate noted, “This is a revolution, a student-led revolution. There’s no doubt about that because the business of the whole government collapsed.”
Yunus, 84, returned to Bangladesh from France on Thursday after being called upon by student leaders to lead the democratic reforms following Sheikh Hasina’s departure. “I said, ‘I respect you, I admire you. What you have done is absolutely unparalleled.’ Because you ordered me to do this, I take your order,” he recounted, as quoted by news agency AFP.
The resignation of several key allies of Hasina, including the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Central Bank Governor, followed the students’ demands. “They want to have a new court,” Yunus explained. “So they went there and asked the Chief Justice to resign and put pressure on him to do so. I’m sure they will find the legal way to justify all of this because legally… all the steps were followed,” he added.
Sheikh Hasina, aged 76, fled to India by helicopter on August 5 as protests engulfed Dhaka, marking a dramatic conclusion to her long rule.
Reflecting on the situation, Yunus remarked, “Finally, this moment, the monster is gone.” Despite the public support for his leadership, Yunus cautioned that the interim government would face challenging decisions. “The moment you start taking decisions, some people will like your decisions, some people will not like your decisions. Obviously, that’s the way it works,” he observed.
He has expressed his intention to hold elections “within a few months”, AFP reported.
