Muhammad Yunus Takes Helm of Bangladesh's Caretaker Government Amid Protests

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist, was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh's caretaker government following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid violent protests. Yunus's appointment was suggested by student protesters, and he returned from Paris for the role to lead the interim government and oversee upcoming elections.

Bangladesh's Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of the country's caretaker government on Thursday. This development comes three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to step down and leave the country due to violent protests.

Yunus, aged 84, was recommended by student protesters and returned to Dhaka earlier on Thursday from Paris, where he had been receiving medical treatment. 'The country has the possibility of becoming a very beautiful nation,' Yunus emotionally told reporters at the airport. 'Whatever path our students show us, we will move ahead with that.'

As the chief adviser, Yunus will lead the interim government responsible for organizing new elections in the South Asian country, which has a population of 170 million. The student-led movement that forced Hasina's resignation began with protests against quotas in government jobs. These protests, which escalated in July, eventually led to a violent crackdown condemned globally, though the government denied allegations of excessive force.