Get to know Muhammad Yunus, from Nobel Peace Prize laureate to commander of the Bangladesh Task Force.

Politics in Bangladesh has reached a major turning point. After the bloodiest protests in Bangladesh Since the founding of the country in 1971, which ended with the victory of the People’s Power. Student-led protesters When Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina boarded a helicopter and fled to India End of a 15-year tenure as Prime Minister

Students, who are leading the protests, have asked Muhammad Yunus The 84-year-old economics professor, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, has taken over as head of Bangladesh’s interim government. While he attended a meeting with military leaders and President Mohammed Sahabuddin of Bangladesh to choose the acting head of government The student leaders steadfastly refused. Absolutely do not assume that the military will lead the caretaker government. and President Sahabuddin Parliament was dissolved on 6 August 2024.

Professor Muhammad Yunus from France traveled back to Dhaka on August 8, 2024.

*Biography of Muhammad Yunus: “Banker to the Poor”

Decisions of Bangladesh students in demand Professor Muhammad Yunus he became the head of the interim government of Bangladesh It is considered that he creates hope for the people of Bangladesh who want to see change in the country. There is real democracy. The end of authoritarian politics that is monopolized by the same political power groups Especially by a government that takes care of the poor people of the country. who have serious economic problems

Muhammad Yunus He was born in Chittagong, Bengal Province on June 28, 1940. Currently 84 years old, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Economics. at the University of Dhaka in 1960 and graduated with a master’s degree in 1961 before receiving a Fulbright scholarship. Continue to study for a doctorate in economics. at Vanderbilt University in the United States in 1969

Then in 1972, a year after Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan. Yunus returned to work as a professor at the University of Chittagong in Bangladesh, where he saw a famine. A severe food shortage among the 1.5 million people in Bangladesh that was hit by a disaster in 1974 made Yunus want to help the poor.

“I find it difficult to teach flexible theories. Economics in the university classroom The background is massive hunger in Bangladesh. I felt the emptiness of these economic theories against hunger and poverty.” Yunus gave a speech After receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, he said He wanted to do something immediately to help those around him who were in poverty.

Then Yunus took the initiative and developed the idea. “Microcredit” or lending money without using collateral. Start giving small loans to the poorest people in the communities where they live and he founded the Grameen Bank in 1983, until Yunus got the nickname “”Banker for the poor”

Muhammad Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.

Finally, Yunus and Grameen Bank received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, and Yunus has also received many prestigious awards in the world. To make it famous all over the world

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s main rival.

Professor Yunus Hasina became the target of great anger. After he had the idea to push for the establishment of a political party in 2007 because he saw the failure of the two main political parties in the country. It is the entire government party. Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League and the opposition parties Bangladesh Nationalist Party

Ms. Hasina considers Professor Yunus to be a flaw in her politics, forcing him in 2011 to dismiss him as director of the Grameen Bank. and he accused him of “dating the blood” of the poor.

Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh He was ousted by protesters until he was forced to resign and fled the country

Hasina’s government has launched an investigation into the finances of the Grameen Bank. It is a non-profit business. Based on allegations that a welfare fund was not created for workers But Professor Yunus has denied the allegations. And the supporters of Prof. Younus says the case is politically motivated.

In addition, Professor Yunus denied allegations that the Grameen Bank was stealing money from the poor. He told CNN in early 2024 that the Grameen Bank never intended to make money. But I want to help the poor and encourage small business entrepreneurs

Professor Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of the interim government of Bangladesh at the Presidential Palace in Dhaka on the evening of August 8, 2024.

accept the position of Head of the interim government of Bangladesh

Until finally When there was a large protest rally in Bangladesh Led by students who first came out against the protest rally, they won and Dr. Yunus the role of head of the caretaker government. He had traveled from France. Back to Dhaka on August 8, 2024.

Professor Yunus said that a few days ago He wants to see the military control the country to a civilian government. along with blaming Mrs. Hasinna saying he has tormented us for a long time And it makes this country inevitable for people.

“People are celebrating in the streets. Millions across Bangladesh are celebrating. It’s like it’s Independence Day,” said Dr. Yunus, praising the protests in Bangladesh. However, many experts are critical of the future of Bangladesh and the work of Professor Yunus as head of the interim government It seems like a long and complicated road. The government must have reforms.

Mubashar Hasan, who studies authoritarianism in Asia at the University of Oslo in Norway, believes that the first challenge of Dr. Yunus rebuilding law and order in Bangladesh. After weeks of bloody protests it resulted in the death of nearly 300 people, most of them students.

before a crowd of protestors attacked Prime Minister Hasina’s residence and took their property out of the house in anger. This is an unprecedented sight in Bangladesh. At the same time, people still lack faith and confidence in the police. legal system and various institutions of the state gone.

Author: Aranya Srichantanit