Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the 3rd edition of the Voice of Global South Summit via video conferencing, in New Delhi on August 17, 2024. Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus and other world leaders are also seen. | Photo Credit: ANI
Bangladesh’s caretaker government chief Muhammad Yunus on Saturday assured the international community that he was committed to ensuring the establishment of an inclusive and pluralistic democracy and creating an environment in which “free, fair and participatory elections” can be held.
Mr. Yunus, the chief adviser to the interim government, said, Addressing the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit Which was hosted by India in virtual format.
“You all know that Bangladesh witnessed a ‘second revolution’ on August 5, 2024, through a massive uprising led by our brave students and with the general public,” the 84-year-old Nobel laureate said, referring to the political turmoil in his country and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5.
Noting that the current interim government headed by him was sworn in on August 8, Mr. Yunus said, “Our government is committed to ensuring a transition to an inclusive and pluralistic democracy and creating an environment in which free, fair and participatory elections can be held.” Mr Yunus takes charge of interim government amid continuing violence And this also includes brutality against minorities.
“Our task now is to make significant reforms in our electoral system, judiciary, local government, media, economy and education,” Mr Yunus said at the summit attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said, “I invite you to visit Dhaka soon. Otherwise, you may miss out on some important things. Much of Dhaka has become the graffiti capital of the world. Young students and children aged 12-13 are painting pictures of the new democratic eco-friendly Bangladesh on the walls of this 400-year-old city.”
“There is no central plan or guidance. There is no budget support from anybody. It is just a flow of their emotions and commitment to the goals of the second revolution,” the eminent economist said.
Former Prime Minister Hasina (76) fled to India on August 5. He was forced to resign from his post amid unprecedented anti-government student-led protests.
Student-led protests demanding reforms in reservations in government jobs spiraled into a movement to topple the government in early August.
Mr. Yunus further said, “We must put youth and students, who form a significant part of the population of the Global South, at the centre of our strategies. Two-thirds of our population are young people. They are the most powerful part of society. They are different. They are committed to building a new world. They are capable. They are technologically far ahead of the previous generation…” He also stressed on redesigning the financial system to ensure that wealth is shared among all.
“It should not be a one-way street to wealth. We must ensure financial services for all people, especially women and youth. We can learn from each other how this can be done successfully.” He also mentioned the ‘Bengali Language Movement’ in 1952.
“In 1952 Bangladeshi students sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue. This inspired struggles for the right to speak in mother tongues across the world. Almost seven decades later our second student-led revolution is inspiring young people across the global South to raise their voices for democracy, human rights, dignity, equality and shared prosperity. “I am honoured to be the oldest ‘young person’ to take part in this revolution and to help them achieve their dreams. They need all of your support,” Mr Yunus said.
“Getting old should not mean that you should retire, withdrawing from economic activities. Human creativity never stops at a date set by the state. It does not stop until the last breath. Together we can try to see how to make society supportive of the creativity of all people, while they are alive,” the 80-year-old economist said.
More than 230 people have died in anti-government protests in Bangladesh that broke out across the country following the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, taking the death toll during the three-week-long violence to 560.