Bangladesh Leader Says Resignations of Hasina's Officials Are Legal

DHAKA, Bangladesh – In a significant political shift, Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government and Nobel laureate, has declared the recent resignations of key officials close to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as legal. This follows a wave of protests led by student leaders demanding the resignations, which culminated in Hasina fleeing to India last week. Yunus emphasized that all legal protocols were adhered to during this transition, which has seen the resignation of the chief justice, five justices, and the central bank governor. Yunus, 83, highlighted the restoration of judicial independence as a primary goal of the interim government. In a move reflecting the influence of the student protests, Syed Refaat Ahmed was appointed as the new chief justice, a decision proposed by the student leaders. The protests, initially sparked by discontent over a government job quota system, escalated into a broader uprising against Hasina's perceived autocratic rule, resulting in over 300 fatalities among students and police. Describing the situation as a “student-led revolution,” Yunus expressed his commitment to supporting the students, who he claims view him as a trustworthy figure. He acknowledged their aspirations, stating, “It’s not my dream, it’s their dream. So I’m kind of helping them to make it come true.” While the interim government is expected to announce new elections, the timeline remains uncertain. Yunus has a contentious history with Hasina, having faced investigations and legal challenges during her administration, which his supporters attribute to their strained relationship.