Deobandi scholar to rights activists: Who all are likely to be part of Yunus govt in Bangladesh?

As Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus gears up to take oath as Bangladesh’s chief advisor, all eyes are now on who will be part of his interim government. The country was left without a leader after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her post and fled Dhaka. The resignation came amid nationwide anti-government protests which jolted the country like never before.

Multiple Bangladeshi news outlets have cited anonymous sources and released the names of some of the members who are likely to be part of Yunus’ interim government.

Earlier today, a source close to the matter confirmed to The Dhaka Tribune that no politician will be part of the advisory council members. The names started swirling around as Yunus is scheduled to take the oath as the head of the interim government today.

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List of members who are likely to be part of the Council of Advisers

According to The Daily Star, seven members are confirmed to be part of the advisory board. The names are as follows:

• Professor Muhammad Yunus - Bangladesh’s Nobel Prize winner will be heading the government.

• Syeda Rizwana Hasan - Chief Executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA)

• Farida Akhtar - Women’s rights activist

• Adilur Rahman Khan - Human rights activist and founder of Odhikar

• AFM Khalid Hossain - Hefazat-e-Islam nayeb-e-ameer and Islami Andolan Bangladesh adviser

• Nurjahan Begum - Grameen Telecom trustee

• Sharmeen Murshid - Freedom fighter

• Supradip Chakma - Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB)

However, it is pertinent to note that no formal announcement has been made in this regard. In Bangladesh, the position of chief advisor is equivalent to the post of the Prime Minister and the other advisors are equivalent to ministers.

Other notable names who are reported to be part of the cabinet include; two key conveners of the Students Against Discrimination movement Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed and minority community leader and former chairman of Rangamati district council Gautam Dewan.

However, the names of the 15-member cabinet are yet to be confirmed.

Yunus expresses hope for Bangladesh’s progress

While addressing a gathering at the Dhaka airport, the Nobel laureate who is set to take charge as the head of the interim government said that his team will ensure that the newly reborn Bangladesh advances rapidly.

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“Today is a day of pride for us. The revolution that has given birth to a new Victory Day for Bangladesh must be carried forward and strengthened. I extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the youth who made this possible. They stood by me, they have protected this country, and they have given it a rebirth,” he said on Thursday.

The proclamation from Yunus came during a press briefing at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after his arrival from the 2024 Paris Olympics in France. During the presser, the Bangladeshi Nobel Prize winner made it clear that restoring law and order is a priority. “I urge the people of the country to trust in me, to have faith in me, and that no harm will come to anyone in the country.”

He even became emotional during his address. “Today, I am reminded of Abu Sayed (a student from Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur who was killed in a shooting). He was an unbelievingly brave young man. Abu Sayed’s name is etched in the hearts of every person in this country. Through this incident, a second independence has come to the nation,” he recalled.

Bangabhaban is ready to hold the oath-taking ceremony for Bangladesh’s interim government, which will take place around 8:00 PM (local time) President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath of office to the new government.