Dhaka University students demand axing of Farooki, ‘fascist allies’ from interim cabinet

They accuse the government of betraying public trust with recent appointments

Students of Dhaka University have called for the removal of Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and others they accuse of being 'autocratic allies' from the interim government's advisory council.

A human chain was formed at the foot of the Raju Memorial Sculpture on Monday afternoon, where the demand was made.

Anti-discrimination Student Movement Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah, along with several other leaders, joined the protest.

Three months after the formation of the caretaker administration, the advisory council of Muhammad Yunus was expanded once again on Sunday.

Businessman Sheikh Bashir Uddin, filmmaker Farooki, and the Chief Advisor's Special Assistant Md Mahfuj Alam were sworn in as new advisors.

Farooki was assigned to the Ministry of Culture Affairs, while Bashir was handed responsibility for both the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Jute and Textiles.

Since their appointment, the duo has faced criticism on social media, with many questioning their roles within the government.

Hasnat said, “The students have shed blood for revolution. You [interim government] made these appointments without consulting them.”

"Stop mocking the students, citizens, and workers. You will find yourselves in trouble and then ask students to take to the streets. This will not continue for long. We do not want to see these allies of fascism rehabilitated in any form,” he added.

He continued, “We want to know the history of those appointed as advisers and their fight against fascists. If their appointments are based on any compromise, you are deceiving the students and the public."

Arif Sohel, the member secretary of the movement’s convening committee, said: “After the revolution, we spoke about a revolutionary government. However, we were told to maintain constitutional continuity for the sake of the country's stability."

“We were not informed about the appointment of these fascist allies. If this continues, we will not take long to form a new government. We will fight for the 2024 uprising and protect it with our blood,” he added.