Who is Muhammad Yunus and why protesters want him to be the interim Prime Minister of Bangladesh?

Bangladesh has been pushed into a state of uncertainty after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her post and fled to India, following protests by several student groups. Hasina, who has been in power in Bangladesh since 2009, gave in to the pressure from the Army, which gave her an ultimatum to step down following the months-long protests that have left over 300 protesters dead.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Interim government in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Monday announced the resignation of PM Hasina and said that he was "taking full responsibility" for the country. He also mentioned that an interim government would be taking over, without specifying whether and what role the military will be playing in the new administration.

Also read: Astrologer goes viral for predicting Sheikh Hasina's political crisis in 2023

CREDIT: PTI

Who is Muhammad Yunus

As discussions about the interim government gain momentum, a familiar name has resurfaced. Protesters have suggested Muhammad Yunus to head the interim government. The 84-year-old Yunus is arguably the most famous Bangladeshi internationally. The economist is the founder of Grameen Bank, a micro-finance bank established in 1983.

CREDIT: GRAMEEN BANK

Muhammad Yunus's influence on Bangladesh

The microfinance system helped millions of Bangladeshis out of poverty and was replicated across the world.

Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Grameen Bank, for their efforts to create economic and social development.

Political ambitions and fallout with Hasina

Despite his global recognition and proven track record in the fields of economics and academia, Yunus had a fallout with Hasina over what was perceived as his political ambitions. In 2006, he and a group of prominent civil society activists came together with the aim of cleaning up politics. He even wrote an open letter seeking public opinion on forming a political party.

CREDIT: AP

While he indeed ended up announcing a political party called Nagorik Shakti in 2007, it was short-lived, and within months, Yunus pulled the plug on his political career.

Also read: The Indian Major Who Saved Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's Family In 1971 War Meets Her Again

Targeted by Hasina government

However, the damage was already done, and the Bangladesh government slowly but steadily started interfering in matters related to Grameen Bank.

CREDIT: AP

This culminated in Yunus facing a probe over alleged misappropriation of funds and his eventual ouster from the Grameen Bank. Yunus rejected all the allegations and claimed that they were politically motivated.

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