Sarjis Alam, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and general secretary of the July Smrity Foundation, has alleged that loyalists of ousted Sheikh Hasina are being appointed as advisers in the interim government.
In a social media post shared on Facebook late on Sunday night (10 November), he expressed his concerns over what he perceives as regional imbalance and the inclusion of individuals he considers to be aligned with Hasina’s past regime.
Sarjis Alam wrote: “Thirteen advisers from just one division! Meanwhile, none from the 16 districts of the Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions in northern Bangladesh. To make matters worse, even Hasina’s loyalists have been appointed as advisers!”
His remarks came shortly after three new advisors were inducted into the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Bangabhaban on Sunday evening, was overseen by President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Following the appointments, the interim government’s advisory council experienced a reshuffling of portfolios.
Several existing advisers saw changes to their responsibilities, with some experiencing increased duties, while the newly appointed trio were assigned distinct portfolios.
Among the new advisors, prominent filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was entrusted with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Sheikh Bashir Uddin was appointed to oversee the Ministry of Commerce, Textiles, and Jute.
However, newly appointed adviser Mahfuz Alam has yet to be assigned a specific ministry.
