Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has officially assumed the role of head of Bangladesh’s interim government, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and subsequent flight to neighboring India three days earlier.

At a ceremony held at the presidential palace in Dhaka on Thursday night, Yunus, 84, took his oath of office in the presence of political leaders, civil society figures, generals, and diplomats.

“I pledge to uphold, support, and protect the constitution,” Yunus stated during the oath-taking, administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, and committed to performing his duties “sincerely.”

More than a dozen members of his cabinet, designated as advisers rather than ministers, also took their oaths. The caretaker government is now focused on restoring peace and preparing for upcoming elections. Among those sworn in were prominent figures from the Students Against Discrimination group, which led the extended protests, including Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud.

Other members included Touhid Hossain, a former foreign secretary, and Hassan Ariff, a former attorney general. Also taking the oath were Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an acclaimed environmental lawyer, and Asif Nazrul, a leading law professor and writer.

Adilur Rahman Khan, a notable human rights activist who was previously sentenced to two years in prison by Hasina’s government, was also sworn in as an adviser.

No representatives from Hasina’s Awami League party attended the ceremony.

Hasina resigned on Monday following nationwide protests that began in July against a quota system for government jobs, which critics claimed favored individuals with ties to her party.

The protests quickly escalated into a major challenge to Hasina’s 15-year rule, resulting in over 300 deaths, including students, due to the escalating violence.

Yunus, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work in developing microcredit markets, was in Paris for the 2024 Olympics when he was appointed to the interim role. He returned to Dhaka earlier on Thursday, arriving under heavy security at the airport.

In his initial remarks following his arrival, Yunus stated at a news briefing that his primary focus would be to restore order. “Bangladesh is like a family. We must unite it,” Yunus said, with student leaders by his side. “It holds immense potential.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his "best wishes" to Yunus, expressing New Delhi's "commitment" to collaborating with neighboring Dhaka.

“Best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus as he takes on his new responsibilities,” Modi posted on the social media platform X. “India remains dedicated to working with Bangladesh to achieve the common goals of peace, security, and development for both our peoples.”

On Wednesday, a tribunal in Dhaka acquitted Yunus of a labor law violation related to a telecommunication company he founded, overturning a previous conviction and six-month jail sentence. Yunus had been out on bail during the case.

Yunus, a long-time critic of Hasina, had been labeled a “bloodsucker” by her for allegedly using coercive methods to collect loan repayments from the rural poor, predominantly women. Yunus has denied these accusations.

_____