Bagladesh: Protests are triggered by the interim government’s nomination of new advisers

INN/Dhaka, @Infodeaofficial

Various groups, including the Student Movement Against Discrimination, demonstrated nationwide on Monday against the selection of some new advisers to the interim government in Bangladesh, raising concerns about their involvement in the previous administration. In a significant reorganisation of the government since its founding on August 8, the interim government led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus on Saturday appointed businessman Sheikh Bashir Uddin, filmmaker Mostofa Sarowar Farooki, and special assistant to the chief adviser Mahfuz Alam as advisers. Additionally, the portfolios of some advisers were rearranged.

On Monday, a group of Dhaka University students protested, calling for the immediate dismissal of new advisers they described as “allies of the fascist.” Gathered at a human chain, the demonstrators vehemently denounced the appointments of the new advisers. There, eight movement coordinators were in attendance.

Recalling the sacrifices made during the recent rebellion, Hasnat Abdullah, the convenor of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, expressed the students’ displeasure. “Students shed their blood during the fight for freedom, yet these appointments were made without consulting us,” he said. This is an insult to the workers, citizens, and students. You’re going to get into problems if this keeps up. After that, you’ll urge the pupils to go out into the streets. However, Hasnat stated that this would not continue long and that “we will not tolerate the rehabilitation of those who have thrived under fascism in any form.”

In addition, he questioned the qualifications of those appointed and called for transparency in the selection process. “You are misleading the students and the public if these appointments were made as part of some compromise,” he said.

The student movement’s coordinator, Abdul Kader, sent a clear message to the authorities: “You are incorrect if you believe the revolutionaries have gone to sleep. We’re prepared to take to the streets once more to demolish the fascist system. Mahin Sarker, the coordinator of the movement, stated: “We will give them the red card if our opinions are not reflected. Fascist accomplices must be eliminated right away.

Another coordinator, Rifat Rashid, stated that if advisers are chosen without following the directives of the people and students, they will not think twice about dismissing the advisory council, just as they did Hasina.

During the oath-taking ceremony on Sunday, a group of people protested against Sk Bashir Uddin’s appointment as an adviser by marching near the Bangabhaban while holding lit torches. On his Facebook page that evening, student movement coordinator Sarjis Alam also expressed disapproval of the choice of new counsellors.

Students in Rangpur demonstrated in front of the Press Club on Monday, threatening to launch a “North Bengal Blockade” campaign if their demand that a Rangpur division adviser be appointed to the temporary administration was not fulfilled.

“We feel that important state decisions, including the appointment of advisers, are not being made in a proper and participatory way and based on consultation with stakeholders of the mass uprising,” the Jatiya Nagorik Committee stated in a news release on Monday. In a statement released yesterday, Hefazat-e-Islam questioned Farooki’s nomination and sought to understand the reasoning behind his participation in the administration.