Stop attacks on minorities, Yunus warns B'deshis

Dhaka, NT Bureau: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Thursday took oath as the head of an interim government, replacing Sheikh Hasina who abruptly resigned and fled to India leaving the country in turmoil following deadly protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs.

Yunus, 84, was administered the oath of office by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at a ceremony at the presidential palace 'Bangabhaban'. Yunus has appealed to fellow Bangladeshis to “save the country from anarchy”.

Yunus, who returned to Bangladesh from Paris on Thursday, called for an end to attacks on Hindus and other religious minorities and for the restoration of law and order, three days after a street revolt toppled long-governing prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

“I appeal to the citizens to save the country from anarchy so that we are able to move ahead on the path that we have chosen,” Yunus told a press conference after arriving in Dhaka.

“While coming I got the news that there have been attacks on minorities — Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Ahmadiyyas,” he added.

“That’s not for us, our job is to protect them.” Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament on Tuesday and agreed to a call by student protesters for Yunus to be named chief adviser — a post equivalent to prime minister — to an interim government that would hold power until a new election is held. The 84-year-old Yunus was sworn in on Thursday evening.

“Whatever path our students show us, we will move ahead on that path,” he told the earlier press conference. India this week expressed alarm over what foreign minister S Jaishankar said were attacks on “minorities, their businesses and temples”.

The overthrow of Hasina, who fled to India, was accompanied by violence, looting and vandalism of buildings and memorials.