On August 5, 2024, the Awami League government collapsed amid a mass student-led uprising. Following her removal from power, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to neighbouring India, where she currently resides. After the fall of the government, Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the head of the interim administration on August 8. Recently, in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian, he reflected on the situation at that time.
The interview, published on Monday, March 10, features Dr Yunus explaining that he agreed to lead the interim government at the request of the students. He described the state of the country under Hasina’s rule as severely damaged, comparing it to Gaza—not in terms of physical destruction but in the collapse of institutions, policies, governance, and international relations.
Discussing the previous administration, Dr Yunus alleged that Sheikh Hasina’s rule was akin to a criminal syndicate rather than a legitimate government.
"There was no real government under Hasina; it was a family-run gang. Any command from the leader was executed without question. If someone became a problem, they simply disappeared. Elections? They ensured the results in advance," he claimed.
He also accused the former government of manipulating financial institutions for personal gain.
"They would grant million-dollar loans that never needed repayment," he added.
Dr Yunus also addressed Sheikh Hasina's presence in India, stating that while sheltering her was acceptable, allowing her to use Indian soil as a platform to influence Bangladesh’s political future was a serious concern, as it could destabilize the nation.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that Hasina's regime was plagued by authoritarianism, violence, and corruption, ultimately leading to a bloody uprising in July and August.
According to the United Nations, more than 1,400 people were killed during the anti-government protests.
