[🇧🇩] Everything about the interim government and its actions

[Saif]

Law adviser to oversee financial, administrative duties at Speaker’s office

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul will look into administrative and financial issues at the Speaker's office of Jatiya Sangsad, said the chief adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today

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Law adviser to oversee financial, administrative duties at Speaker’s office

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul will look into administrative and financial issues at the Speaker's office of Jatiya Sangsad, said the chief adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today.

Shafiqul came up with the updates while briefing the media at Foreign Service Academy on the meeting of the Council of Advisers held with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in the chair.

Alam said the Speaker had financial and administrative duties and now the Speaker's post is vacant.

There is a question of who will do the work related to financial and administrative activities, he said, adding that a decision has been taken that Law Adviser Asif Nazrul will look into it.

Deputy Press Secretaries Aburba Jahangir and Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder also spoke at the briefing.​

 

[Saif]

How will the interim govt navigate through challenges?

Speaking to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in 1852, American abolitionist Wendell Phillips had said “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." This slogan has become relevant after Bangladesh has been liberated from the clutch of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina amid the...

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How will the interim govt navigate through challenges?
Rabiul Islam
Updated: 31 Oct 2024, 20: 49

Muhammad Yunus takes oath as the chief advisor to the interim government at Bangabhaban on 8 August 2024. Dipu Malakar

Speaking to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in 1852, American abolitionist Wendell Phillips had said “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." This slogan has become relevant after Bangladesh has been liberated from the clutch of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina amid the student-people's uprising on 5 August 2024. She has fled to India and has been staying there since then. Although the people have breathed a sigh of relief for a time being, the establishment of peace and tranquility is still a far cry. The interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus was formed on 8 August, which has instilled high expectation among the people from walks of life. Now the question has emerged how that expectation will be fulfilled in the face of multiple challenges.

What are the challenges: law and order, economic crisis, price hike of essentials, administration, geo-politics and more. The law and order situation is the most important matter. After the fall of Hasina government, the law and order situation deteriorated immensely. Although the situation has improved a bit, it is still a cause for concern. In the name of raising various demands, people from various sections and professions are taking to the streets and issuing ultimatums to meet their demands. Even the students, who played the glorious role in unseating Sheikh Hasina from power, are also taking to the streets with various demands whether those are logical or not that is immaterial. They are forcing the interim government to meet their demand at any cost. For example, the HSC students compelled the government to cancel a number of examinations which was halted due to the student-led mass uprising. Following the decision, people from walks of life castigated the government for giving in to the illogical demand.

Even the students, who played the glorious role in unseating Sheikh Hasina from power, are also taking to the streets with various demands whether those are logical or not that is immaterial. They are forcing the interim government to meet their demand at any cost.

Although people could not take to the streets for their genuine demands during the Hasina-led government plagued with corruption, money laundering, price hike of essentials and more, now various section of people including garment workers, students and jobs aspirants have been registering protests seeking even for their illogical demands. Anyone can easily understand why such things are happening. During the past 15 and half years rule of Sheikh Hasina, the banking sector was completely destroyed. In an interview with a British daily Financial Times, Bangladesh Bank governor said tycoons close to Sheikh Hasina siphoned off $17b, S Alam alone laundered $10b. Moreover, with foreign and domestic loans, big projects have implemented without proper feasibility study, either to please the foreign masters or to benefit some people close to Sheikh Hasina. A glaring example of such a project is Karnaphuli Tunnel. Daily cost of this project is Tk 3.7 million while the income is only Tk 1 million.

Although most of the people supported the interim government and they want a remedy from misrule, corruption and money laundering, those who are the beneficiaries of the Sheikh Hasina government won't allow the interim government to smoothly run the country and arrange an election for transition to democratic government. The tycoons close to Sheikh Hasina embezzled so much money that they would spend in destabilising the interim government as well as the country. Those are conspiring to worsen the law and order situation. As part of their scheme, criminal activities including killing, robbery and garment unrest in the name of various demands are being taken place at various parts of the country.

Under such a circumstance, the government has to activate the intelligence agencies so that they unearth any conspiracy beforehand. In any case of negligence on their part, the officials concerned must not go unpunished. The police also have to remain alert to rein in killing, robbery and unrest in the garment sector. The common allegations that police take bribes should also be addressed with utmost sincerity.

Under such a circumstance, the government has to activate the intelligence agencies so that they unearth any conspiracy beforehand. In any case of negligence on their part, the officials concerned must not go unpunished. The police also have to remain alert to rein in killing, robbery and unrest in the garment sector. The common allegations that police take bribes should also be addressed with utmost sincerity. Activities including motivation, incentives must be introduced so that law enforcers become proactive considering the crucial time for the people as well as the country. Now we all need to keep in mind that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

*Rabiul Islam is a journalist at Prothom Alo.​

 

[Saif]

The government must focus on urgent issues

To prevent a return to authoritarianism or fascism, strengthening democratic processes is crucial.

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The government must focus on urgent issues

One of the issues in Bangladesh that needs urgent solution is the prices of daily essentials. FILE PHOTO: STAR

It has been almost three months since the interim government took office. During this period, it has taken several notable steps, including the formation of various commissions to begin the reform process of key sectors and suspension of the indemnity law in the energy sector—steps largely viewed as positive. However, there are many other tasks that it should prioritise. It is surprising that to this day, there has been no official list of the deceased and injured from the July uprising. The student-led protests evolved into a broader people's movement, with citizens from all walks of life joining in. Participation of the working class was particularly significant. Many among the victims are from the labour force. Many of the injured are now struggling to carry on their medical treatment. They expected support from the state. More prompt actions should have been taken in this regard.

There seems to be a tendency to overlook the pivotal role of workers during the uprising, as their demands has not received the attention it deserves. For example, after the 18-point agreement among the employers, garment workers and the government, it was clearly stipulated that all outstanding wages would be cleared. But many factories have not fulfilled this commitment; some factories have even shut down without warning. When workers raise their concerns and demand their dues, they are often met with violent responses, such as shootings, which lead to casualties. A 25-year-old female RMG worker, who had joined the ongoing protest demanding payment of wages pending for several months, was recently shot and died from her injuries later. Even yesterday, two garment workers were shot during a violent clash with law enforcement forces in Dhaka's Mirpur area. It is disheartening to see that while any student-led mobilisation receive a degree of sympathy from the government, workers are met with force when they demand their rights. It is hoped that the government will take adequate steps to address these concerns.

Meanwhile, political complexities seem to have diverted the current administration's focus elsewhere. One such issue involves recent statements made by the president. A clear response to his remarks might have been the publication of Sheikh Hasina's resignation letter. If this is not feasible, then a resolution must be sought through dialogue with political parties. Some state run organisations have also made demands and put forth claims, indicating that internal contradictions may be brewing. Rather than allowing instability to grow from these contradictions, the government should swiftly engage in discussions with political parties and take decisive actions with consensus.

While the BCL members who engaged in criminal activities should undoubtedly face justice, it is also crucial to hold accountable those in the previous regime who empowered the BCL for their own benefit. However, the current process of prosecuting individuals associated with the previous regime lacks transparency. Cases are being filed where the main culprits are not being precisely identified, leading to the possibility that the actual wrongdoers may escape justice, or that the gravity of the allegations may get diminished.

One such swift decision was the recent ban on the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of the Awami League. This ban was a demand of the anti-discrimination student movement, which called for BCL's dissolution. Often perceived as a militant arm of the Awami League, BCL gained a reputation for engaging in criminal activities—extortion, tender manipulation, harassment of university students, and even operating torture cells in dormitories. The organisation's presence in many communities became synonymous with oppression, serving the Awami League's interests to maintain power, and this image was deliberately cultivated by the Awami League government.

While the BCL members who engaged in criminal activities should undoubtedly face justice, it is also crucial to hold accountable those in the previous regime who empowered the BCL for their own benefit. However, the current process of prosecuting individuals associated with the previous regime lacks transparency. Cases are being filed where the main culprits are not being precisely identified, leading to the possibility that the actual wrongdoers may escape justice, or that the gravity of the allegations may get diminished. This approach raises questions about the credibility of the judicial process.

The decision to ban a political entity could prove to be self-defeating too. Banning a political group does not eliminate its ideology. While the organisation may no longer be legally active, its ideas and activities could continue underground, with the potential for resurgence. For example, during Sheikh Hasina's tenure, Jamaat-e-Islami was not officially banned but faced similar restrictions in practice. But its ideology persisted, and today it has re-emerged even stronger. Thus, simply banning an organisation does not eradicate its influence; instead, it obscures its true nature and may even create sympathy among the public.

Politics in our public universities has also shown that whichever party comes to power, its student wing becomes dominant and oppressive, using the university administration to further its goals. The government uses these student groups to exert control over campuses, as seen with the Awami League's BCL, the BNP's Chhatra Dal, Jamaat's Islami Chhatra Shibir, and the Ershad-era's Chhatra Samaj.

To prevent a return to authoritarianism or fascism, strengthening democratic processes is crucial. This includes fostering democratic dialogue, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance, and upholding the rule of law. When institutions are made functional and accountable, and when exemplary punishment is meted out to offenders, the foundation for authoritarianism weakens. Moreover, increasing public participation in governance can create a resilient barrier against any potential return of undemocratic forces.

If the government ignores the demands of the majority working class population or the calls for justice across various social divides, and relies solely on coercion, it risks paving the way for authoritarianism. Heavy-handed tactics, threats, and coercive laws only contribute to the re-emergence of undemocratic practices. The key aspiration of the uprising was to build a "discrimination-free new Bangladesh," and to achieve this, the focus must shift towards necessary reforms.

Reducing the price of essential goods and ensuring they remain within reach of ordinary people is very important at the moment. Scraping anti-people agreements in sectors like energy is essential for laying the groundwork for this new vision of Bangladesh. This should not simply be about replacing one version of BCL with another. A true transformation means breaking away from the trends that have been synonymous with oppression.

As told to Monorom Polok.

Anu Muhammad is former professor of economics from Jahangirnagar University.​

 

[Saif]

TIB expresses concern over press freedom

Expressing serious concerns over press freedom in the country, Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday said persistent attacks, ill-motivated lawsuits and widespread harassment are not conducive to an anti-discriminatory “new Bangladesh”.

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TIB expresses concern over press freedom

Expressing serious concerns over press freedom in the country, Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday said persistent attacks, ill-motivated lawsuits and widespread harassment are not conducive to an anti-discriminatory "new Bangladesh".

In a press statement, the graft watchdog urged the interim government to implement strict measures to curb these "alarming trends" to ensure a congenial environment for journalists and the media.

In 14 years during the previous regime's rule, Bangladesh's position in the World Press Freedom Index fell by 42 notches, with all standards of media freedom consistently declining, said TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman.

He said the sacrifices made by students during the July-August mass uprising presented the nation with a unique opportunity to build a "new Bangladesh".

However, despite the interim government's repeated commitments to ensure media freedom and protect it from external influences, the assault on media and journalists is continuing, he added.

"TIB notes with deep concern that various self-interested groups are intensifying attacks on certain media organisations, engaging in slander, threats, and intimidation.

"It appears that attempts are being made to suppress the media, harass journalists, or manipulate coverage whenever it challenges the interests of powerful factions. Such incidents serve as a troubling signal for the future of a free press in Bangladesh," Iftekharuzzaman said.

He questioned if the media's freedom amount to a hollow assurance. He said the attacks reflect negatively on the "new Bangladesh".

"Arbitrary threats, attacks, sieges, and, in certain instances, trivial lawsuits designed to resolve personal disputes or the complete revocation of accreditation cards are unmistakable indicators of an anti-people authoritarian regime."

He said efforts to regulate the media, and echoing the practices of the fallen authoritarian regime contradict the ethos of free thought and the anti-discrimination principles that characterise the "new Bangladesh".

"The suppression of dissent and the insecurity experienced by the media will inevitably lead to the resurgence of authoritarianism."

Iftekharuzzaman said, "TIB thinks that journalists accused of specific criminal acts or those actively involved in the past authoritarian regime should be thoroughly probed. However, incidents such as arbitrary cases against journalists labelling them as the associates of the fallen authoritarian government; the cancellation of permanent and temporary press accreditation cards given by the Press Information Department, threats, and dismissals do not convey any positive message regarding media freedom in the country.

"Rather, they serve the interests of those who follow the perilous theory that dissent is the friend of tyranny."

The TIB does not believe that any journalist should be penalised for engaging in journalism, he said.

The graft watchdog urged the interim government to act swiftly and forcefully to establish a fearless atmosphere for independent journalists. "If not, there is a serious chance that media freedom may turn into an empty promise."

The TIB also urged journalists and the media to maintain ethical journalistic standards and prevent the abuse of their authority.​

 

[Saif]

Govt won’t tolerate any attacks on newspapers

The government will not tolerate any attacks on newspapers, said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

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Govt won’t tolerate any attacks on newspapers
Says CA’s press secy

Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, briefed the media at the foreign service academy today. Photo: Screengrab

The government will not tolerate any attacks on newspapers, said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

"No newspaper, TV channel or news website has been shut since the interim government took office," he said at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy yesterday.

Shafiqul said there had been no phone calls from the government or the intelligence agencies requesting news outlets to take down or upload any news article. They also did not give any directive regarding speakers of talk shows and barring reporters from certain assignments, he added.

"There had been such a practice over the last 15 years, but the interim government did not say anything. If we thought that a news item was wrong, we mentioned it politely."

The press secretary said some journalists have spread rumours intentionally, but the interim government is not bothered by it at all.

"We are fully committed to the independence of the media. We did not ask anyone not to file a report or why a particular report was published."

Asked about the removal of 64 district correspondents of Bangladesh Television and cancellation of accreditation cards of some journalists, Shafiqul said the BTV authorities will be able to say about it.

He said accreditation cards are scrapped by the information ministry which will be able to mention the specific reasons.

About threats to some newspapers, Azad Majumder, deputy press secretary to the chief adviser, said the Editors' Council issued a statement in this regard which is being reviewed by the government.

These threats are being issued by a quarter, and the government has already noticed it, Shafiqul said, adding that they have already provided them with security.​

 

[Saif]

Yunus seeks contribution of students, teachers to advancing science

Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday asked students and teachers to come forward in contributing to advancement of science and knowledge.

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Yunus seeks contribution of students, teachers to advancing science
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 07 November, 2024, 14:58

Professor Yunus speaks at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Centennial Celebration of the Bose-Einstein Statistics: A legacy of Dhaka’ in the city on Thursday. | UNB Photo

Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday asked students and teachers to come forward in contributing to advancement of science and knowledge.

‘Students and teachers should come forward in contributing to science and knowledge,’ he said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Centennial Celebration of the Bose-Einstein Statistics: A legacy of Dhaka’ at an auditorium in the city.

Professor Yunus said that the very tiny calm Dhaka city and green Ramna might not be brought back but the glory of Dhaka University could, of course, come back in the new independent Bangladesh.

‘On centenary of the Bose-Einstein Theory, we can say this with emphasis. Today, the student-teacher community has got back their freedom of thought and the practice of free thinking through revolution,’ he continued.

The chief adviser also stressed capacity building for contributing to world-science.

‘And this is achieved through everyday reading, research maintaining high expectation. The environment of Bose’s invention in 1924 was created in such a way. This environment will also be established in the same way today. There is no alternative to this.’

CA Yunus said that the interim government was ready to bring necessary reforms in shaping suitable environment for science practice but demands and suggestions had to have to come from all the people concerned.

‘If we have trust in ourselves, we will be able to do so as Bose had trust in him, so being fully unacquainted, he wrote to Einstein.’

Recalling the contribution of scientist Satyendra Nath Bose, he said that Bose became the part of science history in 1924 because of his Bose-Einstein Statistics.

‘As a young professor, Satyendra Bose did this sitting at a room of Curzon Hall at Dhaka University, while the physicists around the world are celebrating the centenary of the Bose-Einstein Statistics due to its importance. But, the importance of this invention is different for us....through this, Bose has marked our university [DU] and our Dhaka city in the map of world science,’ he added.

The chief adviser welcomed the international scientists, who have been working on the Bose-Einstein theory, for joining the international conference in Dhaka.

Noting that the invention of Bose was still time relevant, he said that Bose sent his little article to Einstein in Germany and later Einstein added his idea to it and provided the article to a famous physics journal. Since then, that was Bose-Einstein theory.

The physics department of Dhaka University and Bose Centre for Advanced Study and Research in Natural Sciences, DU, jointly organised the two-day celebration.

Education adviser professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, DU vice-chancellor professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, and former professor at SNBNCBS of Kolkata Partha Ghose also spoke.​

 

[Saif]

Interim govt would hold election at appropriate time: BNP

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Thursday hoped that the interim government would be able to hold the next general election at an appropriate time.

www.newagebd.net

Interim govt would hold election at appropriate time: BNP
Staff Correspondent 07 November, 2024, 15:53

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders and activists observe Jatiya Biplab O Samhati Dibas placing wreath at the grave of the party founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka on Thursday. | New Age photo

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Thursday hoped that the interim government would be able to hold the next general election at an appropriate time.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the hope while talking to reporters at the grave of the party founder, Ziaur Rahman, in the capital.

‘They (interim government) are playing an effective role. They have already done a lot of work and are continuing to do work. We all cooperate with the government. Hopefully, they will be able to hold elections at an appropriate time,’ Fakhrul said.

He also said that the party had taken a fresh vow to resist the hegemonic forces in a bid to protect the country’s democracy, independence and sovereignty.

‘We made a vow on November 7, after paying homage to Ziaur Rahman, that we will resist fascism together with the people. We will launch a strong movement, if necessary, to protect democracy and preserve the country’s independence and sovereignty,’ Fakhrul said.

He also expressed the confidence that the people of Bangladesh would unite to reinforce the spirit of the student-led revolution.

Earlier, Fakhrul, accompanied by thousands of leaders and activists, placed wreaths and offered fathea at the grave of Ziaur Rahman, to mark the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’.

The day commemorates the civil-military uprising of November 7, 1975.

On this day in 1975, during a period of political unrest, soldiers and civilians jointly freed the then chief of Army Staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka Cantonment, clearing the way for him to assume power.

Fakhrul said that the fascist Awami League government had repeatedly plotted and resorted to repressive actions to eliminate the BNP.

He alleged that the Awami League had falsely implicated 60 lakh people, subjected around 700 to enforced disappearance, and killed several thousand others in its efforts to establish a one-party rule and fascism.

‘But by the grace of Allah, fascism and hegemonic forces have been defeated for the third time in Bangladesh through the student-led mass movement in 2024,’ Fakhrul added.​

 

[Saif]

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary lists five broad tasks accomplished in three months

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, on Thursday, listed five broad tasks accomplished by the interim government in the last three months, noting its continued "sincere efforts" to solve any crucial issues. "I think the government has achieved a lot in the last three months. It rema

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary lists five broad tasks accomplished in three months
Published :
Nov 07, 2024 22:35
Updated :
Nov 07, 2024 22:35

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, on Thursday, listed five broad tasks accomplished by the interim government in the last three months, noting its continued "sincere efforts" to solve any crucial issues.

"I think the government has achieved a lot in the last three months. It remains sincere," he said while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.

Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were present at the briefing, according to a report on the UNB agency.

Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus took the oath of office as head of Bangladesh's interim government on August 8 after protests forced out former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5.

Alam said, first of all, there has been a smooth transition without any scandal. "Have you heard about any scandal?" he asked.

He said there has been a good recovery from the broken economic state and the interim government received massive global support.

Alam said the interim government has been able to provide a reform roadmap. "You may say that we have not given a date (for the election)."

The six reform commissions will place their reports to the government by December 31, reflecting on people's desires and expectations as the government is committed to building a new Bangladesh.

The commissions- the Electoral System Reform Commission, Police Administration Reform Commission, Judiciary Reform Commission, Anti-Corruption Reform Commission, Public Administration Reform Commission, and Constitution Reform Commission- are now working on their recommendations.

Based on the reports, the next phase of broad-based dialogue and consultation between the stakeholders that includes political parties and professional bodies and the interim government will be held.

Press Secretary Alam said the country faced many challenges over the last three months. There were issues like price hikes of essentials, unrest in the RMG sector, and severe floods which the government tackled well..

After the revolution, Alam said there were many demands from various quarters and the interim government through discussion tried to address those which are deliverable.​