Muhammad Yunus is set to be sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday, following Sheikh Hasina’s sudden exit from power amid violent protests over government job quotas. Nobel peace laureate Yunus, who was in Paris for the Olympics when he was named interim leader, has appealed for peace, urging, “Violence is our enemy. Please don’t create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country.”
The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is on high alert due to the unrest in Bangladesh and recently thwarted a significant infiltration attempt by a large group of Bangladeshis at the International Border in West Bengal.
They intercepted 120-140 Bangladeshi citizens attempting to cross into India from various locations, primarily driven by fears of local unrest. The BSF, in coordination with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local civil authorities, reassured these individuals of their safety and encouraged them to return home, even sending back 35 civilians in one sector. Bangladesh’s military chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced that Yunus would be sworn in on Thursday night, with the ceremony accommodating 400 people.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has called for calm, emphasizing the need for love and peace to rebuild the country. Prior to Hasina’s resignation, at least 109 people, including 14 police officers, were killed in two days, with homes of former ministers and MPs looted, torched, or vandalized, and Hasina’s official residence in the capital ransacked. In the aftermath, Dhaka has seen calm, with student activists cleaning streets and managing traffic after police went on strike following violent attacks on police stations. Authorities have requested officials to return to duty by Thursday evening.
The US State Department has urged the interim government to respect democratic principles and to ensure stability and free, fair, and inclusive elections.
Currently, Sheikh Hasina’s future plans are uncertain. She had intended to go to London after a brief stay in India, but her stay has been extended due to uncertainties. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noted that Hasina was in shock and needed time to recover before discussing her plans.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Hasina’s son, confirmed that she had not decided on seeking asylum in the UK or the US, and would remain in New Delhi for a while. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concerns about the situation, noting the potential for increased migration to India and the impact on regional security, particularly given that all North Eastern extremists had been removed from Bangladesh during Hasina’s rule.