DHAKA: Bangladesh’s interim government removed on Friday Brigadier general M Sakhawat Hossain (Retired) from the helm of the home affairs ministry and made him adviser to the textiles and jute minority, the dramatic move coming within just nine days of the temporary govt. Though no reason was officially given, the changes came soon after the swearing-in ceremony of new advisers amid students’ criticism of Hossain’s “pro-Awami League” remarks recently.
Newly appointed adviser Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retired) has been given Hossain’s post in the home ministry and also takes charge of the agriculture ministry.
On August 12 Hossain had recognised Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his party Awami League‘s contributions to the country and had said, “This is a big political party and I have a lot of respect for the Awami League. At one time it was the hope of the Bengalis. Don’t destroy the legacy of the movements of ’52, ’69, and the Liberation War for personal reasons.” The protesters apparently did not take his remarks positively and there was widespread criticism on social media.
Four advisers, including Chowdhury, were sworn in Friday to join the recently formed 17-member interim government. Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud will look after the planning and education ministries, while former power secretary Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan will oversee the power, energy and mineral resources ministry and the road transport, bridges and railways ministries. Another new adviser, former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder, has been attached to the chief adviser’s office.