Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took oath as the head of an interim government in Bangladesh on Thursday. He was administered the oath of office by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at a ceremony held in presidential palace 'Bangabhaban'.
Yunus was appointed the head of the interim government after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned, ending her 15-year reign, and fled to India following violent protests that erupted across the country.
A 16-member council of advisers was announced to assist Yunus in running the state's affairs. Md. Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, two key organisers of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, were also part of the advisory council.
Women's rights activist Farida Akhtar, freedom fighter Sharmeen Murshid, former foreign secretary Touhid Hossain, and right-wing party Hefazat-e-Islam's deputy chief AFM Khalid Hossain were among the advisory council members.
The interim government will lead the country for a certain period and over the election to form the new government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended best wishes to Yunus as he took oath. Modi said that he hoped for an early return of normalcy in the violence-hit country and ensuring the safety of Hindus and other minority communities in the country.
"My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities," said Modi.
"India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security, and development," he added.
Yunus promised to deliver a government that assures safety to its citizens and urged them to assist him in rebuilding the protest-torn country.
"Today is a day of our pride...We have got independence for the second time. We have to protect this independence," said Yunus while addressing a press conference at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
"If you have faith in me and trust me, then ensure that there will be no attack anywhere in the country. This is our first responsibility," he added.
Over 500 people were killed in the violence that erupted across the country. Initially, the protests erupted in the country over the controversial quota system evolved into a mass movement demanding her ouster. Over 100 people died in the fresh clashes that erupted in Dhaka.
Several police stations and even Hasina's official residence were targeted by the protesters after her resignation.
The Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said that normalcy is expected within three to four days as the situation across the country is improving.
