Photo-Collected.
Special Correspondent //

Sarjis Alam, coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement and general secretary of the July Smriti Foundation, has alleged that oil traders are also becoming advisors to the murderer Hasina. He made this comment in a status posted on his Facebook ID on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the revolutionary anti-fascist student-public has demanded the removal of controversial and fascist friends from the advisory council. Yesterday, Monday afternoon, the organization held a protest rally and procession in front of the National Press Club to protest the appointment of Awami beneficiaries as advisors by the interim government and the rehabilitation of fascist friends.

On the other hand, an ordinance titled ‘Interim Government Ordinance, 2024’ is going to be issued to bring the current interim government into a legal framework or to give legal legitimacy. According to the ordinance, what qualifications are required to become an advisor and what kind of activities should they carry out in the political context of Bangladesh, the BBC report has revealed.

In the face of mass movements in Bangladesh, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina left the post of Prime Minister on August 5 and went to India. Then on August 8, an interim government led by Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus took power. The president ordered the formation of that government on the advice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. But the Constitution of Bangladesh does not say anything about the interim government.

Earlier, there was talk of a non-partisan caretaker government system. But during the previous Awami regime, the non-partisan caretaker government was abolished as a result of the fifteenth amendment to the constitution.

Currently, there is no such thing as a caretaker or interim government system and the post of chief advisor or advisor in the constitution.

Lawyers believe that the ordinance titled ‘Interim Government Ordinance, 2024’ is going to be issued to bring the current interim government into a legal framework or to give it legal legitimacy.

‘A special government is now functioning in Bangladesh, which has been formed in a special situation,’ Supreme Court lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua told BBC Bangla.

The proposed ordinance mentions that the chief advisor will have the rank, remuneration and facilities of the prime minister and the advisors will have the rank, remuneration and facilities of ministers.

The president will appoint the chief advisor. Then, other advisors will be appointed as per the chief advisor’s advice.

After taking the oath, the advisory council will run the state with the help of government employees. Although 21 advisors have served in the interim government led by chief advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus so far, its size is gradually increasing.

The proposed ordinance states that a person cannot be an advisor unless he is a citizen of Bangladesh and has not completed 25 years of age.

Even if he acquires the citizenship of a foreign country or declares or accepts allegiance to a foreign country, he cannot take the oath.

Similarly, if a person is declared an invalid by a court or is not discharged from liability after being declared bankrupt, he cannot hold the position of advisor.

And if he is convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude and sentenced to at least two years in prison and has not passed five years after his release, he cannot hold the position of advisor and chief advisor.

Even if he is convicted of any crime under the Bangladesh Collaborators (Special Tribunal) Order, 1972, he cannot be an advisor. That is, anyone convicted of Razakars or war crimes cannot be in the interim government.

In addition, to be appointed as an advisor, the person must agree to “not be a candidate in the 13th National Parliament election or the election of public representatives in local government institutions.”