Protect Hindus, PM Modi Tells Yunus

Interim Govt to have 16-member advisory council, including two uprising student leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus on his swearing in as head of the interim government in Bangladesh and underscored the importance of "safety and protection" for Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh. He also voiced a hope for a swift return to normalcy in Bangladesh.

PM Modi further resolved to work with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both "our peoples for peace, security and development." Notable among the inductees in the 16-member advisory council of the interim government are Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, two key organisers of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

Yunus, who is celebrated for his pioneering work in microcredit and is best known for founding the Grameen Bank, will function out of a guest house which will be his office and residence.

Earlier in the day, an Emirates flight carrying Yunus landed at the Dhaka international airport from Paris. Army chief General Waker-UzZaman, senior officials, student civil society leaders and members welcomed him there.