Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has taken oath as chief adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh. The 84-year-old economist flew down from Paris earlier in the day to take the role. He was declared the head of the interim government by President Mohammed Shahabuddin after dissolving Parliament Tuesday, a decision prompted by a demand by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
Globally recognised as ‘The Father of Microfinance,' he is a well-known critic of former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and persecuted by her regime. Sheikh Hasina was recently forced to resign and fled her country. She has been in India since then.
Here are the live updates:
9.30 pm: A 16-member council of advisers was announced to assist Yunus in running the state's affairs.
9.10 pm: PM Modi extends 'best wishes' after Professor Muhammad Yunus assumes new responsibilities.
9.00 pm: Muhammad Yunus takes oath as head of Bangladesh's interim govt
4.30 pm: MEA India says, "In touch with Bangladesh authorities to ensure safety, security of Indian missions, our personnel and Indians residing in that country".
3.00 pm: Muhammad Yunus breaks down in tears as he reaches Dhaka
He will lead the interim Bangladesh govt.
2.30 pm: Sheikh Hasina's entourage members start leaving from India
Members of the Sheikh Hasina entourage, who reached India with her on Monday, have now started departing from India for their next destinations. Along with the two sisters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, a significant number of associates had also come to India on August 5. Most of the members of the entourage have now started leaving India for their next destinations, sources told ANI. Sheikh Hasina and her sister, along with other associates had to flee Bangladesh in a hurry to save their lives. All the team members in her entourage came to India in a hurry, as many of them could not even carry clothing or any other daily-use items with them.
7.22 am: The statement highlighted the country's potential and urged the population to focus on building a better future. "This is our beautiful country with lots of exciting possibilities. We must protect and make it a wonderful country for us and for our future generations," Yunus Centre added in its statement. Yunus Centre further said that violence is their enemy. "Our youth is ready to give this leadership in creating a new world. Let us not miss the chance by going into any senseless violence. Violence is our enemy. Please don't create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country. If we take the path of violence everything will be destroyed. Please stay calm. Help those around you to stay calm," it added.
7.20 am: In a statement issued on Wednesday, Yunus Centre congratulated the students who played a key role in achieving the Second Victory Day and urged the public to avoid violence. "I congratulate the brave students who took the lead in making our Second Victory Day possible and to the people for giving your total support to them. Let us make the best use of our new victory. Let us not let this slip away because of our mistakes. I fervently appeal to everybody to stay calm. Please refrain from all kinds of violence. I appeal to all students, members of all political parties and non-political people to stay calm," the statement read.
