Student-led protests lead to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, as the nation looks to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus for change.

After the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a palpable sense of relief spread through Dhaka, with many Bangladeshis hopeful for a fresh start under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The resignation came after a week of student protests that forced Hasina out of power, marking a dramatic shift in the country’s political landscape. While the initial celebrations gave way to looting and attacks, the appointment of Yunus as the interim leader has brought some calm, though uncertainty remains.

The streets of Dhaka, home to 20 million people, are quieter now, but that calm is overshadowed by vigilance. Neighborhoods have set up nightwatches, and residents remain on edge, fearing that the old political practices of corruption and violence might return. “It feels good that finally we have educated people running our government,” said Zahin Ferdous, a university student. However, many share his apprehension, hoping that Yunus will not fall into the same traps as previous politicians.

As Yunus settles into his new role, the country is watching closely. Police are still absent from the streets, and the military has deployed soldiers to maintain security across Bangladesh. Yunus, who had narrowly escaped imprisonment just days earlier, has called for an end to violence and the protection of minorities.

The student protests, sparked by frustration over a quota system that limited job opportunities, brought the country to a tipping point. Despite Hasina’s efforts to crush the opposition through violence and arrests, the protests grew, calling for justice and accountability. With Yunus now at the helm, Bangladeshis are cautiously optimistic that the political system can be overhauled and that the country can break free from the cycle of corruption and authoritarian rule.