Summary:
- Leadership Criticism: Anti-Discrimination Student Movement coordinator Sarjis Alam criticizes the selection of advisers in Bangladesh’s interim government, highlighting regional disparities.
- Regional Imbalance: 13 advisers were selected from a single division while two major divisions (Rangpur and Rajshahi) with 16 districts received no representation.
- Transparency Issues: Movement coordinator Ashrafa Khatun raises concerns about the lack of transparency in the appointment process and limited coordinator involvement.
- Political Context: The criticism carries weight as it comes from key figures in the student movement that contributed to the previous Awami League government’s downfall.
Sarjis Alam, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has strongly criticized the recent selection of advisers to Bangladesh’s interim government, highlighting concerns about regional representation and political affiliations.
In a widely shared Facebook post, Alam pointed out a significant regional disparity in the council of advisers, noting that “13 advisers from just 1 division! But there is no single adviser from the North Bengal’s Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions’ 16 districts!” He further expressed dismay over the inclusion of individuals allegedly connected to the previous administration.
Ashrafa Khatun, another coordinator of the movement, raised transparency concerns regarding the appointment process. She revealed that many coordinators were unaware of the new appointments until they surfaced on social media. Khatun expressed frustration about the government’s apparent dismissal of coordinator input while holding them accountable for governmental shortcomings.
The criticism gains particular significance as it comes from one of the key figures in the student-led movement that contributed to the fall of the previous Awami League-led government. Alam, who also serves as the general secretary of the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation, has been consistently vocal about governance issues in Bangladesh.
This development occurs amid broader political transitions in Bangladesh, where the interim government faces mounting pressure to demonstrate independence from previous power structures while maintaining effective governance. The controversy surrounding these appointments highlights ongoing tensions between reform advocates and established political interests in Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape.
