New Appointments in Bangladesh’s Interim Government Spark Controversy

The Economic Times   

Controversy has erupted over the recent appointments of new advisors to Bangladesh’s interim government, with accusations that several individuals have ties to the radical group Hizbut-Tahrir. These appointments have come at a time when the country is grappling with both a deteriorating security situation and an ongoing economic crisis. Particularly concerning are student organizations that have voiced strong opposition to the appointments, which they argue undermine the government’s legitimacy.

The three new advisors who took their oaths on Sunday evening include businessman Bashir Uddin, filmmaker Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, and Mahfuz Alam, who previously served as a special assistant to Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Among these, Mahfuz Alam’s appointment has attracted significant attention due to allegations of his involvement with Hizbut-Tahrir, a banned extremist group that has previously operated under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami coalition government. Hizbut-Tahrir advocates for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate and is known for its radical ideology.

Sources also claim that some of the newly appointed advisors have links to the group. Hizb ut-Tahrir has been banned in Bangladesh, as it is considered a security threat, along with other extremist organizations like Hefazat-e-Islam and Ansarullah Bangla Team, which are currently under surveillance by security agencies.

Student leaders have sharply criticized the appointments, particularly those from groups who have actively protested against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. Sajid Alam, coordinator of the “Anti-Injustice Student Movement,” expressed his concerns on Facebook, saying, “Thirteen advisors have been appointed from just one division, while 16 districts in the northern regions of Rangpur and Rajshahi are left without any representation! Moreover, murderers and loyalists of Hasina are being made advisors!”

Another coordinator, Ashraffa Khatun, remarked, “The government doesn’t listen to us, but the people hold us responsible. If a revolutionary government were in power, this wouldn’t have happened.”

This controversy raises significant questions about the direction in which Bangladesh’s interim government is heading. The allegations concerning the extremist ties of the newly appointed advisors have intensified concerns about the country’s security landscape. Additionally, a Facebook post by Mahfuz Alam has further fueled the debate, with its analysis being featured in the BD Digest, which aligns with the claims made by The Economic Times.