٠٠:٠٥:٤٣Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus thanked the youth of Bangladesh in a press conference in Dhaka on Thursday after returning to the country to be appointed head of the interim government, declaring that 'Bangladesh has gained independence for the second time'.
"I express all my appreciation and gratitude to the youth community who made this possible. They saved this country. This country has been reborn anew," he said.
Yunus encouraged the youth of Bangladesh to continue their work to rebuild their country following the recent unrest. "Today the country is in the hands of the young society, you will build your country as you like. Since you are free, you can build as you see fit," he said.
He also honoured Abu Sayed, a student who was killed during the violent anti-quota protests after being shot by police officers, calling him an 'incredible, brave young man'.
"Since then, no young man has given up and has moved forward. No matter how many shots are fired, we remain. Thanks to this, our movement has spread all over Bangladesh. As a result, Bangladesh has gained independence for the second time," he noted. "Not only to protect but to deliver the benefits of this freedom into everybody's homes, otherwise this freedom has no value. Delivering the benefits of this freedom to every home is our oath, our promise," he continued.
The newly-appointed leader also vowed to restore the people's trust in Bangladesh following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's abrupt resignation and departure from the country on Monday.
"People think the government is an instrument of repression," Yunus explained. "This will be the government that protects the people. It will be trusted. People should believe that the government is made from our people, so that trust must be restored," he added.
Furthermore, Yunus said he aims to 'guide those who have gone astray' during his administration by peaceful means, adding that "chaos and violence are the great enemies of progress."
"Let them be made to understand. Let them be handed over to law and order. You cannot make them understand by killing them. Chaos by your own hand is not right," he concluded.
Yunus's appointment came after President Mohammed Shahabuddin met with the country's armed forces and protest leaders, which called for the Nobel laureate to take on the role. Shahabuddin stated that a national government would be formed to facilitate fresh elections, aiming to restore stability and order in the country.
This development follows weeks of escalating violence and unrest across Bangladesh, primarily driven by student anti-discrimination protests over a controversial quota system reserving 30 per cent of government jobs for families of veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War.
The protests have resulted in over 200 deaths, fuelling a broader campaign that demanded Hasina's resignation and justice for those killed. The situation remains tense as the interim government prepares to navigate the country through this critical period and towards new elections.
'Saved this country' — Yunus thanks Bangladeshi youth, vows to protect freedom, rebuild trust on appointment to head interim govt
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus thanked the youth of Bangladesh in a press conference in Dhaka on Thursday after returning to the country to be appointed head of the interim government, declaring that 'Bangladesh has gained independence for the second time'.
"I express all my appreciation and gratitude to the youth community who made this possible. They saved this country. This country has been reborn anew," he said.
Yunus encouraged the youth of Bangladesh to continue their work to rebuild their country following the recent unrest. "Today the country is in the hands of the young society, you will build your country as you like. Since you are free, you can build as you see fit," he said.
He also honoured Abu Sayed, a student who was killed during the violent anti-quota protests after being shot by police officers, calling him an 'incredible, brave young man'.
"Since then, no young man has given up and has moved forward. No matter how many shots are fired, we remain. Thanks to this, our movement has spread all over Bangladesh. As a result, Bangladesh has gained independence for the second time," he noted. "Not only to protect but to deliver the benefits of this freedom into everybody's homes, otherwise this freedom has no value. Delivering the benefits of this freedom to every home is our oath, our promise," he continued.
The newly-appointed leader also vowed to restore the people's trust in Bangladesh following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's abrupt resignation and departure from the country on Monday.
"People think the government is an instrument of repression," Yunus explained. "This will be the government that protects the people. It will be trusted. People should believe that the government is made from our people, so that trust must be restored," he added.
Furthermore, Yunus said he aims to 'guide those who have gone astray' during his administration by peaceful means, adding that "chaos and violence are the great enemies of progress."
"Let them be made to understand. Let them be handed over to law and order. You cannot make them understand by killing them. Chaos by your own hand is not right," he concluded.
Yunus's appointment came after President Mohammed Shahabuddin met with the country's armed forces and protest leaders, which called for the Nobel laureate to take on the role. Shahabuddin stated that a national government would be formed to facilitate fresh elections, aiming to restore stability and order in the country.
This development follows weeks of escalating violence and unrest across Bangladesh, primarily driven by student anti-discrimination protests over a controversial quota system reserving 30 per cent of government jobs for families of veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War.
The protests have resulted in over 200 deaths, fuelling a broader campaign that demanded Hasina's resignation and justice for those killed. The situation remains tense as the interim government prepares to navigate the country through this critical period and towards new elections.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus thanked the youth of Bangladesh in a press conference in Dhaka on Thursday after returning to the country to be appointed head of the interim government, declaring that 'Bangladesh has gained independence for the second time'.
"I express all my appreciation and gratitude to the youth community who made this possible. They saved this country. This country has been reborn anew," he said.
Yunus encouraged the youth of Bangladesh to continue their work to rebuild their country following the recent unrest. "Today the country is in the hands of the young society, you will build your country as you like. Since you are free, you can build as you see fit," he said.
He also honoured Abu Sayed, a student who was killed during the violent anti-quota protests after being shot by police officers, calling him an 'incredible, brave young man'.
"Since then, no young man has given up and has moved forward. No matter how many shots are fired, we remain. Thanks to this, our movement has spread all over Bangladesh. As a result, Bangladesh has gained independence for the second time," he noted. "Not only to protect but to deliver the benefits of this freedom into everybody's homes, otherwise this freedom has no value. Delivering the benefits of this freedom to every home is our oath, our promise," he continued.
The newly-appointed leader also vowed to restore the people's trust in Bangladesh following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's abrupt resignation and departure from the country on Monday.
"People think the government is an instrument of repression," Yunus explained. "This will be the government that protects the people. It will be trusted. People should believe that the government is made from our people, so that trust must be restored," he added.
Furthermore, Yunus said he aims to 'guide those who have gone astray' during his administration by peaceful means, adding that "chaos and violence are the great enemies of progress."
"Let them be made to understand. Let them be handed over to law and order. You cannot make them understand by killing them. Chaos by your own hand is not right," he concluded.
Yunus's appointment came after President Mohammed Shahabuddin met with the country's armed forces and protest leaders, which called for the Nobel laureate to take on the role. Shahabuddin stated that a national government would be formed to facilitate fresh elections, aiming to restore stability and order in the country.
This development follows weeks of escalating violence and unrest across Bangladesh, primarily driven by student anti-discrimination protests over a controversial quota system reserving 30 per cent of government jobs for families of veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War.
The protests have resulted in over 200 deaths, fuelling a broader campaign that demanded Hasina's resignation and justice for those killed. The situation remains tense as the interim government prepares to navigate the country through this critical period and towards new elections.