Bangladesh Crisis: Mohd Yunus Part Of 1971 War, Why Did Sheikh Hasina Then 'Target' Him? | Explained

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, popularly known as “banker to the poor,” has been chosen to lead a military-backed interim government in Bangladesh. Student protesters, who forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country, have rallied behind her long-time critic.

In 1971, he was teaching economics in the US, and was part of international efforts to support the liberation war. He returned to an independent Bangladesh in 1972. 

Yunus founded the Grameen Bank in 1983, which provided microcredit to poor people, especially village women, helping them start small businesses and educate their children. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for helping lift millions out of poverty. 

Hasina started targeting Yunus, after he briefly proposed forming a political party in 2007. The Awami League government launched a series of investigations against Yunus and the Grameen Bank in 2008 -- they were accused of using force to recover loans from the poor. 

Last year, he was convicted of violating labour laws, a verdict that has now been overturned.

Calling Hasina's ouster Bangladesh's “second liberation day,” Yunus has accepted the tall task of leading the country out of political turmoil. Political experts worldwide have named him the man of the hour, chosen by the student movement.