Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Saturday said that there is no reason to be upset over the recent changes in the adviser portfolio as he was moved from the Ministry of Home Affairs to Ministry of Textiles and Jute.
In an interview with Voice of America, he said: "Alhamdulillah, I have done what I could within my capacity at the Home Ministry."
When asked about his new role as the adviser for the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, he said: "I will do what I can, and if I'm unable, I will leave."
On August 12, after assuming the role of home adviser, M Sakhawat Hossain addressed the media in the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
On that day, he advised the Awami League to reorganize the party with new faces, instead of creating chaos.
Highlighting the contributions of the Awami League to the country, Sakhawat Hossain said: "This is a very large party. I have a lot of respect for Awami League. At one time, this party was a source of trust for Bengalis. Do not destroy the contributions made during the 1952 Language Movement, the 1969 Mass Uprising, and the Liberation War for personal reasons. It is a national treasure. Let’s work together."
In response to another question, the home adviser said: "I would advise the Awami League not to do anything that endangers lives. As a political party, organize yourselves. Participate in elections. If the people vote, go ahead. But if you dream of a counter-revolution, thousands of people will shed blood."
He also advised former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India, to return to the country, saying: "Stay well, come back. We all respect you. But there's no point in causing trouble; it won't be beneficial. Instead, people will become more agitated."
In response to his remarks, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, formed during the quota reform demonstration, protested.
At a protest rally, the movement's coordinator, Hasnat Abdullah, said: "Some of the advisers are making statements about rehabilitating murderers. I want to remind you that you became an adviser through the uprising of students and the people."
He added: "Those who want to rehabilitate the killer Hasina, we the students and the people, who made you advisors, will not hesitate to throw you out of power."
On that night, the BNP held a protest in Dhaka demanding M Sakhawat Hossain's resignation.
On Tuesday, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, alleged that the same "people" were threatening the Home Advisor with the same fate as his mother's.
On his verified Facebook page, Sheikh Hasina's former ICT adviser said: "The home adviser has advised the Awami League to reorganize itself as a major party in Bangladesh."
He further said: "The same people could not accept his honest advice in any way; instead, they (the people) threatened the home adviser with the same fate as my mother."
After these incidents, M Sakhawat Hossain faced pressure. There were rumors that he might be removed from his advisory position. It is believed that due to these events, on Friday, he was transferred from the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute.
