 "Bangladeshi Nobel peace laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus gestures in front of the court after being sentenced for six months of imprisonment and fined BDT 5,000 in a labour law violation case, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 1, 2024. File Image/Reuters")
Nobel Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus returned to Bangladesh on Thursday. He took oath at Bangabhaban as Bangladesh’s interim prime minister and will now lead the interim government.
Until Wednesday, the veteran academic was a convict. He was acquitted in a case that was said to be politically motivated. Now he is one of the most important men in the country.
The change comes after a student-led uprising ended the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina. After the resignation of the PM , the military, opposition, and student leaders collectively agreed to entrust the 84-year-old, known as the “banker of the poor,” with leading the formation of a new government.
As Bangladesh enters this transitional phase, global leaders are closely observing whether the decision to place Yunus at the helm will succeed.