Muhammad Yunus Praises Anti-Hasina Student Protesters: ‘I Respect & Admire You’

Nobel laureate and Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, described the nation as experiencing a student-led revolution following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“This is a revolution, a student-led revolution and there is no doubt that the entire government collapsed as a result,” Yunus stated during a press briefing.

The student leaders who spearheaded the protests that led to Hasina’s ouster called Yunus back from Europe, urging him to lead the country’s democratic reforms.

“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,” Yunus affirmed.

In the wake of Hasina’s abrupt departure to India a week ago, several of her close allies, including the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Central Bank Governor, resigned from their positions.

These resignations followed student-issued ultimatums demanding their removal. Yunus confirmed that the resignations were carried out according to legal procedures.

“I am sure they will find the legal way to justify all of this, because legally… all the steps were followed,” Yunus added.

Yunus made these comments during an off-the-record briefing on Sunday night at a state building currently serving as the temporary government headquarters. His office allowed their publication on Monday evening, according to AFP.

Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on the evening of August 9 by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, three days after the student-led anti-quota protests evolved into a mass movement against Hasina’s Awami League government, ultimately forcing her to leave the country.

In his caretaker administration, Yunus is supported by a 16-member advisory council, which includes Asif Mahmud and Nahid Islam, key organizers of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

The protests in Bangladesh began last month after the high court reinstated a quota system for government jobs, which included a 30 percent reservation for families of veterans from the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan, overturning a 2018 decision by Hasina’s government to eliminate the quota.

However, the Supreme Court suspended the high court’s order following the government’s appeal, setting a hearing date of August 7 to consider the government’s challenge.