Two Prominent Hindu personalities Bidhan Ranjan Roy and Suprodip Chakma have been included in the Government of 17 members
AMN
Bangladesh’s Nobel Peace Prize winning economist Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of the country’s caretaker government on Thursday, three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to quit and flee the country following violent protests.
Yunus, 84, was recommended for the role by student protesters and returned to Dhaka earlier on Thursday from Paris, where he was undergoing medical treatment.
“The country has the possibility of becoming a very beautiful nation,” an emotional Yunus told reporters at the airport. “Whatever path our students show us, we will move ahead with that.”
Out of 16 other members of the council of the interim government, 13 took oath as remaining three members will take oath later.
Dr. Muhammad Yunus first took oath as the chief advisor of the interim government. Later, he signed the oath of secrecy.
The President then administered oath to the 13 advisers of the council. The advisers also signed the oath of secrecy.
The members of the advisory council are: Dr Saleh Uddin Ahmed, Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adilur Rahman Khan, Hasan Arif, Towhid Hossain, Syeda Rezwana Hasan, Md Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, Farida Akhter, AFM Khalid Hasan, Nurjahan Begu and Sharmin Murshid.
Cabinet Secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain conducted the oath-taking ceremony.
President’s wife Dr. Rebeka Sultana, leaders of political parties, judges, representatives of various organizations, chiefs of the three services, inspector general of police (IGP), senior military and civil officers, diplomats, freedom fighters, senior journalists and other dignitaries were present.
Bidhan Ranjan Roy, Farooqi Azam and Suprodip Chakma could not take the oath as they were outside of the capital Dhaka.
Emphasizing on regaining the people’s confidence in the government that the government would save them, not expose them to any stake and torture, Dr Yunus said, “The entire country is a big family. We want to walk altogether. We want to shun all indifferences and conflicts among us and bring back those who have been derailed. So, we can work together”.
Noting the current law and order situation in the country, he said many people, including minority groups, are coming under attacks and different offices and establishments are being vandalized, which is a part of conspiracy.
“These are not our work. Our duty is to protect all,” he added.
Terming the chaos and violence as the big enemy of progress, Dr Yunus said the people who have derailed should be brought to right path.
He urged the people not to take the law in their hands and said law enforcement agencies should be decorated in such a way that the people can trust them about solution to their problems.
“Restoring law and order situation is our first job. We can take further steps until law and order situation returns to normalcy,” Dr Yunus said.
Urging the people to keep trust in him, he said, “If you have faith in me and trust me, then ensure that no one will be attacked anywhere in the country. This is our first responsibility. If you do not listen to me, then I have no utility here. Relieve me and let me do what I am doing and remain busy there,” Dr Yunus added.
Pointing that Bangladesh could be a beautiful country, he said it has tremendous potential, which has been destroyed.