The Misdeeds of the Interim Government and Our Responsibility!

Opinion

After August 5, I wrote in an article that from activists to academics, educated politicians, and politically aware individuals, many had foam at their mouths labeling Awami League or Sheikh Hasina as a “fascist government” or “fascist” (some still do). I questioned whether they truly understood what “fascism” means before using the term and asked what ordinary people like us perceive as fascism.

An enraged friend of mine, trying to prove Sheikh Hasina as a fascist, wrote that under her rule, the BDR massacre of army officers, the murders of Tonu, Tuki, Sagar-Runi, and the embezzlement of thousands of crores of taka went unpunished—hence, Sheikh Hasina is a fascist.

I asked my friend to read up on what fascism actually means. However, the facts he presented were not false. Millions of Bangladeshis like him cited these very issues to express hatred toward Awami League—perhaps they still do. The Awami League government has not resolved any of these high-profile cases. Why they haven’t, I do not know.

Even after 11 months of the current government, why these long-standing grievances of millions remain unresolved is beyond me. Who is stopping the Yunus government? Why aren’t millions, like my friend, questioning why the hearing of the Sagar-Runi case has been postponed for the 119th time? Why is there no progress in the BDR mutiny case? Worse, hundreds of convicted BDR personnel have been released without regard for the law. Thousands of convicted and accused criminals have been freed in various ways, many of whom have since engaged in terrorist activities.

Even the legal advisor of the “fascist” Awami League government has presented a staggering corruption list, alleging that 28 lakh crore taka was laundered abroad between 2009 and 2023—similar to the “26 lakh Indian” conspiracy theory. If 28 lakh crore was siphoned off from a total budget of 50 lakh crore over 14 years, how did the state even function? This is false information.

The chief advisor’s assistant, Shafiqul Alam, claimed that “one individual” laundered 400 crore taka abroad for his child’s tuition fees—yet the government did not name that person, let alone take action. Why does an interim government need to spread so many lies?

Millions who once vocally opposed money laundering in previous regimes are now silent. Why aren’t they asking how many involved in money laundering under Awami League’s tenure have been punished? How much money has been recovered? Several advisors of this government face direct corruption allegations—why is no one speaking against these looters? We wanted liberation from misrule, not to replace one misrule with another. If we cannot hold them accountable, how can we claim to be honest ourselves?

One major criticism against Awami League was its forceful glorification of Bangabandhu and his family. Even raising awareness about the Liberation War was intolerable to some, who accused Awami League of monopolizing the war narrative. Ironically, the current government is doing the same with July.

We’ve seen Victory Day and Independence Day events—now we see the government forcefully pushing July narratives. While Awami League was accused of monopolizing the Liberation War, today, it seems no one else upholds it. One by one, murals and sculptures of the Liberation War are being replaced with July symbols—with no protests. No one gave this interim government the right to erase Bangladesh’s founding history, yet they persist in implementing Jamaat’s agenda.

Another small but notable issue: NCP leaders, under Dr. Yunus’s patronage, are currently marching across all 64 districts with grand motorcades. Who funds these unemployed leaders’ lavish tours? Who arranges their accommodations? They claim to practice honest politics—but they must prove their integrity.

-Dr. Mohammad Mahmud Hasan
Professor of Law, Canada.