Bangladesh Crisis: Muhammad Yunus To Lead Interim Govt, Nobel Laurette Stresses ‘Free Elections’ For Lasting Peace — Updates

Bangladesh Crisis: Bangladeshi Nobel winner Muhammad Yunus will lead the Bangladesh interim government that will be responsible for holding fresh elections in the violence-torn country.

Fresh Bangladesh national elections will be held in the violence-torn country under the watch of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

Source : PTI | X/@trahmanbnp

As Bangladesh is grappling with unprecedented political turmoil, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has accused Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of fuelling the unrest. Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina has sought refuge in India amidst the crisis, and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has expressed his willingness to lead an interim government. In a detailed address to the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar outlined India's concerns and measures taken to ensure the safety of its nationals in Bangladesh. 

Bangladesh Crisis Updates: Muhammad Yunus To Lead Interim Govt, India And China Issue First Responses On Unrest

• Bangladeshi Nobel winner Muhammad Yunus will lead the Bangladesh interim government, the president's office announced. This comes after a 13-member team from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Bangabhaban discussed Bangladesh's current situation and the outline of the interim government. The team, including Prof. Asif Nazrul and Prof. Tanzimuddin of Dhaka University, met Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the chiefs of the three armed forces on Tuesday evening, Dhaka Tribune reported.
  

  President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin informed that the remaining members of the interim government will be finalised after talks with various political parties, Dhaka Tribune reported. Fresh national elections will be held in the violence-torn country under the watch of the interim government led by Yunus. 

• This comes after Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday expressed his readiness to head an interim government in Bangladesh following mass demonstrations that forced longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina to flee the country. "I am honoured by the trust of the protesters who wish for me to lead the interim government," he said in a written statement to AFP. "If action is needed in Bangladesh, for my country and for the courage of my people, then I will take it," the 84-year-old microfinance pioneer said, also calling for "free elections." He added, "The interim government is only the beginning. Lasting peace will only come with free elections. Without elections, there will be no change." 
  
  
• In an exclusive interview with ABP News, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, expressed grave concerns about the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, attributing it to foreign interference and the alleged involvement of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. 
  
  "I believe the ISI is involved because when the movement was underway, there was an armed attack on the police. Students do not have firearms; these weapons are with Jamaat-e-Islami Shibir. Someone must have provided them with these arms, and it is certainly the ISI," he said. Joy dismissed any Chinese involvement, asserting, "There is no Chinese hand in this. China has never been involved in our internal affairs."
  
  Drawing comparisons with the 2022 Sri Lankan crisis, Joy suggested an international conspiracy, stating, "Of course, some countries do not want a strong government in our region. They prefer a weak government to control it." Read on: ISI Behind Bangladesh Crisis, China Never Involved In Our Internal Affairs: Sheikh Hasina's Son | ABP Exclusive
  
  
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, detailing recent developments in Bangladesh, including the arrival of the country's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India. He highlighted the deep-rooted and exceptional relationship between India and Bangladesh and expressed shared concerns over the recent violence and instability in the neighbouring country. "The situation in Bangladesh is still evolving," he noted. "The Army Chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, addressed the nation on 5th August. He spoke about assuming responsibility and constituting an interim government." 
  
  The Indian government is closely monitoring the situation, ensuring the safety of approximately 19,000 Indian nationals in Bangladesh, including 9,000 students, most of whom have already returned to India on the advice of the High Commission. In addition to the High Commission in Dhaka, India has Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet. "We expect the host government to provide necessary security for these establishments," Jaishankar added.
  
  He also mentioned ongoing initiatives by various groups to protect minorities and assured that India's border guarding forces remain exceptionally alert. "We are also monitoring the situation with regard to the status of minorities. There are reports of initiatives by various groups and organisations to ensure their protection and well-being. We welcome that, but will naturally remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored." Read on: EAM Jaishankar Briefs On Sheikh Hasina's Emergency Flight To Delhi: ‘At Very Short Notice, She Requested…’
  
  
• China reacted cautiously to the unfolding crisis in Bangladesh, expressing hope for the restoration of social stability. "As a friendly neighbour and comprehensive strategic cooperative partner of Bangladesh, China sincerely hopes that social stability will be restored soon in the country," stated the Chinese Foreign Ministry. This comes nearly a month after Sheikh Hasina's high-profile visit to Beijing, during which the two countries elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, signing 21 agreements.
  
  
• News 18 cited insider sources close to the opposition in Bangladesh as reporting that Sheikh Hasina’s visa has been revoked by the United States, amid reports that Western nations, including the US, sought her ousting from power.
  
  
• The UK Home Office clarified that British immigration rules do not permit individuals to travel to the UK specifically to seek asylum or temporary refuge. A UK Home Office spokesperson told NDTV, "The UK has a proud record of providing protection for people who need it. However, there is no provision for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach—that is the fastest route to safety." Despite these rules, Dhaka Tribune's sources indicate that a formal asylum request for Sheikh Hasina is being processed. Read on: What Is The UK's 'Safe States' Clause That Could Hurt Sheikh Hasina's Chances Of Getting Asylum In London
  
• Former Bangladesh prime minister and Bangladesh National Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia has been freed from jail. Her release comes shortly after Sheikh Hasina resigned from the PM's chair and left the country amid widespread violence against her party. Khaleda Zia had been serving a 17-year sentence in various corruption cases since 2018. The order for her release was issued by Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin just hours after Sheikh Hasina fled the nation. Subsequently, President Shahabuddin dissolved Parliament. Read on: Khaleda Zia Is Free! Former Bangladesh PM Walks Out Of Jail After Nearly 6 Years
  
  
• Notably, a significant reshuffle in the top positions of the Bangladesh Army saw Maj Gen Ziaul Ahsan relieved from service. According to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate, Lt Gen Saiful Alam has been stationed at the foreign ministry, while Lt Gen Mujibur Rahman has been appointed as GOC at Army Training and Doctrine Command, Lt Gen Ahammad Tabrej Shams Chowdhury as quartermaster general, Lt Gen Mizanur Rahman Shamim as chief of general staff, Lt Gen Mohammad Shahinul Haque as commandant of NDC, and Maj Gen ASM Ridwanur Rahman as director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), according to Dhaka Tribune.