In the first official act of his interim government, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Friday led a solemn tribute to Bangladesh’s fallen independence heroes after his predecessor Sheikh Hasina was forced into exile due to a student-led uprising.

A day after returning from Europe and vowing to “uphold, support and protect the constitution” at his swearing-in ceremony, 84-year-old Yunus began the difficult challenge of returning the country to democracy.

Hasina, 76, is accused of widespread human rights abuses, including the imprisonment of her political opponents. On Monday, she fled by helicopter to neighboring India as protesters flooded the streets of Dhaka, marking a dramatic end to her 15-year rule.

The military announced her resignation and subsequently gave in to student demands that Yunus – who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his pioneering work in microfinance – should lead an interim government.

Yunus, who has taken the title of “chief adviser” to a transitional government made up of civilians other than a retired brigadier general, has said he wants to hold elections “within months”.

It is unclear when elections could take place.

Representatives of Hasina’s former ruling party, the Awami League, have gone into hiding after some of their offices were set ablaze in revenge attacks. Meanwhile, former opposition groups such as the prominent Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are rebuilding their strength after years of crushing repression.

“Victory Day”

The new government faces a huge task.

The veteran economist called for the restoration of order in the South Asian country after weeks of violence that left at least 455 people dead and urged citizens to protect each other, including minorities who have been attacked.

In the pouring rain on Friday, Yunus stood silently alongside student and civil society leaders in the new “advisory” cabinet tasked with steering democratic reforms.

Together, the group laid a wreath in the red and green colors of the national flag at the main monument in memory of the millions of people who lost their lives in Bangladesh’s war of independence against Pakistan in 1971.

Arriving in Dhaka on Thursday, Yunus said Hasina’s downfall was as significant as the conflict that gave rise to Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh has created a new day of victory,” he told reporters. “Bangladesh has achieved a second independence.”

Several of Yunus’ advisers have loose ties to the BNP, which is led by Hasina’s longtime rival and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, 78, who was just released from years of house arrest.

They also include student leaders who initiated the protests.

Writing in the Economist this week, Yunus said his country needed a new generation of politicians “who are not obsessed with settling scores, as so many of our previous governments were.”

However, Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy told the Times of India newspaper that his mother still had hopes of running for political office.

“She will return to Bangladesh as soon as the interim government decides to hold new elections,” he said.

‘Law and order’

Hasina’s flight abroad has only increased resentment against India, which played a crucial military role in securing Bangladesh’s independence but also supported Hasina to the utmost.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to convey his “best wishes” to Yunus on Thursday, shortly after his swearing-in, saying New Delhi was “committed” to working with neighboring Dhaka.

India’s arch-rival Pakistan also expressed its hope on Friday for strengthening relations with Dhaka. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wished Yunus “every success in leading Bangladesh into a harmonious and prosperous future.”

China also welcomed the transitional government and promised to work with the country to “promote exchanges and cooperation.”

Farida Akhter, an adviser to the interim government, told AFP the group would also visit a memorial in Dhaka, where student protests began last month.

“We pay our respects there because that is where the student movement started,” she said, before naming the most important task on her to-do list.

“Our top priority is law and order,” she said.