Nurul Haque Nur, President of the Gana Odhikar Parishad, has described the current interim government as “spineless and the weakest in history”. He alleged that the administration is unable to make independent decisions and reacts solely based on the opposition BNP’s positions on every issue.
He made these remarks on Saturday at a citizens’ dialogue titled “Public Perspectives on the Proposed National Charter for Democratic Transformation of the State”, held at the Krishibid Institution in Khamarbari, Dhaka. The event was organised by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), a civil society platform.
Remarks by Nurul Haque Nur
| Statement | Explanation |
| Unprecedented Support | Nur observed that no previous government since independence has assumed office with such widespread backing, including support from major political blocs like BNP and Jamaat, as well as sections of civil society and other political groups. |
| Lack of Autonomy | Despite this support, he said, the government is unable to take principled or autonomous decisions. |
| BNP Influence | He alleged that the government withdrew its proposal to form a Constitutional Council due to BNP’s opposition, and even decisions on local government elections are being influenced by BNP’s stance. |
| Criticism of Civil Society | Nur criticised civil society actors for manipulating the government to serve their vested interests. As an example, he referenced the Ershad-era attempt to decentralise the judiciary, which was allegedly blocked by the civil society at the time. He contrasted this with the controversy over the appointment of 18 judges under the current administration. |
Quote from Nur
“The government must stand upright and carry out its responsibilities in accordance with the people’s expectations.”
Additional Participants in the Dialogue
| Name | Role/Title |
| Justice M A Matin | Acting President of SHUJAN |
| Dr. Ali Riaz | Vice President, National Consensus Commission |
| Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar | Secretary, SHUJAN |
| Dr. Iftekharuzzaman | Member, National Consensus Commission |
Summary
Nurul Haque Nur used the platform to deliver a sharp critique of the interim government, expressing concern over its dependency on opposition reactions, inability to enact policy independently, and vulnerability to external influences, particularly from civil society. His call for the government to regain its autonomy and integrity was echoed by other civil society leaders present at the event.
