BNP-backed lawyers protest over attorney general office appointments

A faction of pro-BNP lawyers staged a protest in front of the Attorney General’s office in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding the removal of recently appointed law officers they claim are aligned with the former regime. Operating under the banner of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, the demonstrators called for the immediate dismissal of individuals they labeled as “fascist, covert, and closeted” appointees, urging the government to prioritize long-term party activists instead.

The protest follows a government reshuffle on July 30, which saw the appointment of 86 Deputy Attorney Generals (DAGs) and 179 Assistant Attorney Generals (AAGs). These appointments were made after the interim government revoked the positions of all previous law officers who had served under the ousted administration.

During the demonstration, the participating lawyers contended that many qualified legal professionals who faced imprisonment and participated in years of anti-government protests were excluded from the new roster. Speakers at the event argued that those who remained active on the streets for the past 17 years were overlooked in favor of individuals they alleged had gained positions through back-channel influence.

While the speakers expressed support for the newly appointed lawyers who are known BNP members, they directed their grievances toward those hired from outside the party’s activist circles. Several lawyers took the podium to demand the immediate resignation of these “covert” appointees, insisting that the state legal office should be comprised exclusively of dedicated party loyalists who suffered during the previous regime’s tenure.

The protest, which featured remarks from lawyers including Akhtar Hossain, SM Aminul Islam, and Sharif U Ahmed, underscored rising internal friction over administrative appointments. The protesters reiterated their call for a thorough review of the recruitment process to ensure that only those with a history of active resistance against the former government are included in the Attorney General’s office.