According to reports in the Bangladeshi press, Nobel Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus, capital city DhakaHe made important statements about the violence in anti-government protests at an event held in Bangladesh. Yunus said, “Two weeks ago, Bangladesh witnessed its second revolution. Millions of students rose up against the brutal dictatorship of Sheikh Hasina, but she (Hasina), the student wing of her party and the security forces left the country after carrying out the “worst massacre of civilians since the country’s independence.”
Yunus criticized Hasina’s position by claiming that she has destroyed all democratic institutions in the country in order to remain in power. These statements are seen as a reflection of the social crisis in Bangladesh and the growing reactions against the government’s oppressive policies.
Background to the Protests
In Bangladesh, following the decision to allocate public quotas to the children of those who served in the 1971 War of Independence, large student-led protests began in mid-July. These protests aimed to defend the rights of young people and demand justice. The protests were declared over when the Supreme Court lowered the quota rates at the end of July.
However, after the Jamaat-e-Islami Party and its student wing, which were held responsible for the violence in the demonstrations, were banned, prosecutors took to the streets, this time calling for “justice” for those who lost their lives in the demonstrations. Unfortunately, hundreds of people lost their lives and thousands were detained during these demonstrations in Bangladesh.
Violence and Government Response
As violence continues to escalate, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was forced to leave his official residence and fly to India by military helicopter. This situation caused a huge outrage among the public; Demonstrators showed their reaction to the government’s oppressive attitude by raiding the Prime Minister’s official residence.
Finally, Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the interim head of government on August 8. This development is considered a new turning point in the political atmosphere in Bangladesh and is seen as a promising step for the future of the country.
