Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate and longtime political adversary of Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been appointed as the country’s interim leader. The 84-year-old was chosen a day after Hasina fled the country following weeks of intense protests that ultimately led to her resignation.

Professor Yunus, renowned for pioneering the use of microloans through Grameen Bank, was a controversial figure during Hasina’s tenure, with the former prime minister viewing him as a public enemy. He is currently out on bail, appealing a six-month jail sentence, which he has claimed is politically motivated.

The decision to appoint Yunus as the interim chief adviser came after a meeting involving President Mohammed Shahabuddin, military leaders, and the student leaders who spearheaded the protests that toppled Hasina. The students, who opposed a military-led government, demanded Yunus lead the transitional administration.

Yunus, who is returning to Dhaka from Paris following a minor medical procedure, stated, “When the students who sacrificed so much are requesting me to step in at this difficult juncture, how can I refuse?”

The protests that began in early July over civil service job quotas quickly escalated into a broader anti-government movement. Over 400 people have reportedly died in clashes between government forces and protesters, most of whom were civilians shot by police. The protests reached a climax on Monday, the deadliest day with over 100 fatalities, leading to the torching of hundreds of police stations across the country.

Before her departure, Hasina resigned and fled to India as protesters looted her official residence in Dhaka, ending her nearly 15-year rule. Although Bangladesh’s economy grew under her leadership, Hasina faced criticism for her autocratic governance, including silencing critics and jailing political opponents.

Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and activist Ahmad Bin Quasem were released following Hasina’s exit. Zia, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, had been imprisoned on corruption charges in 2018, which she claimed were politically motivated. Quasem was one of hundreds who were forcibly disappeared during Hasina’s tenure.

Yunus, who faced a six-month jail sentence in January for labour law violations, has long maintained that he was targeted by Hasina’s government. His conflict with Hasina dates back to his attempts to form a political party, which some believe was the root of their feud. Despite facing various allegations, including tax evasion and overstaying his term at Grameen Bank, Yunus remains internationally respected for his contributions to microfinance, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.

As the interim government takes shape, foreign leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, have called for the new administration to uphold democratic principles and refrain from violence. Meanwhile, India, which shares a lengthy border with Bangladesh, has increased troop deployments and is closely monitoring the situation, though it remains unclear whether Hasina will remain in India or seek refuge elsewhere.