Stay calm, refrain from path of violence: Muhammad Yunus tells students a day before returning to Bangladesh

Yunus, who will head an interim government, described the fall of former PM Sheikh Hasina-led government as the 'Second  Victory Day'.

In a statement issued by the Yunus Centre, the Grameen Bank founder said: " I congratulate the brave students who took the lead in making our Second Victory Day possible and to the people for giving your total support to them. Let us make the best use of our new victory.  Let us not let this slip away because of our mistakes. I fervently appeal to everybody to stay calm."

He urged students to refrain from the path of violence.

"Please refrain from all kinds of violence. I appeal to all students, members of all political parties and non-political people to stay calm.  This is our beautiful country with lots of exciting possibilities. We must protect and make it a wonderful country for us and for our future generations," he said.

According to Bangladeshi media reports, Yunus is likely to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow.

Also read: Bangladesh violence: Hindu homes, temples under attack after Sheikh Hasina's exit

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia, who is a longtime rival of Sheikh Hasina, urged students and protesting people to set aside thoughts of revenge and unite to rebuild the country.

She also urged everyone to be patient, the party's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told The Daily Star.

Zia was released from prison a day after Hasina quit and escaped to India amid violent anti-government protests which left over 100 people dead.