Muhammad Yunus marks 23 days as Bangladesh’s interim government’s chief adviser: A look at his decisions

Muhammad Yunus, a senior adviser to Bangladesh’s caretaker government (a position equivalent to prime minister), is in his 23rd day in office amid widespread unrest. The country has been rocked by mass protests, vandalism and violence, with demonstrators calling for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is in India. Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2009 to 2024, secretly fled to India on August 5, seeking refuge from growing protests demanding her ouster.

Key measures of the provisional government

# $8 billion loan: The country has sought $8 billion in loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other international lenders, according to a report by the Hindustan Times.

Under Yunus’ leadership, Bangladesh aims to tackle its economic problems through financial aid rather than internal upheaval. The country, facing significant economic strains amid recent political turmoil, is seeking international support to stabilise its economy and implement necessary reforms.

# Comprehensive reforms in progress: Yunus outlined his plans for free, fair and participatory elections, which depend on comprehensive reforms to the administration, judiciary and electoral system. He called on the population to be patient as the interim government addresses these “enormous challenges.”

Yunus said: “After completing the necessary reforms in the administration, judiciary, electoral commission and other key areas, we will hold free, fair and inclusive elections to resolve the student-led mass protests and ensure a successful outcome.”

# Revocation of ban on Jamaat-e-Islami: The caretaker government lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, less than a month after the previous Hasina-led Awami League administration declared it a “militant and terrorist” organisation on August 1, 2024. Hasina’s government had accused the Jamaat’s student wing of inciting chaos over a government job quota system.

# Adherence to the International Convention: Yunus signed the accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, which is a historic step for Bangladesh. The move comes in response to long-standing accusations against the Hasina administration, which was facing allegations of enforced disappearances of critics and opposition figures.

Revocation of Special Security and Diplomatic Passports: The interim government has withdrawn special security protection for Hasina and her family and revoked their diplomatic passports. The Home Ministry has also cancelled the diplomatic passports of Hasina’s aides, former cabinet members and members of the 12th Parliament, along with those of their spouses and children.

“The law was created solely to grant special state benefits to members of a family, which constitutes clear discrimination,” the interim government said, stressing its commitment to eliminating such practices.

India’s response

Responding to the political turmoil in Bangladesh, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar acknowledged the fluctuating nature of India-Bangladesh relations since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. He stressed the importance of mutual interests and acknowledged that political changes in neighbouring countries can be disruptive.

Jaishankar said: “We have to take into account the reciprocity of interests. Neighbours are always an enigma, as are big powers.”

Her comments come against the backdrop of unprecedented anti-government protests that led to the fall of Hasina’s administration and her subsequent flight to India.

With contributions from Agencies