Interim govt delaying return of power to the people: Farhad Mazhar

Poet and columnist Farhad Mazhar has criticized the interim government for stalling in its duty to restore power to the people. “They are using delay tactics,” he said. “By forming elite commissions, they’re trying to distract the public. But the people are not naïve. The July Declaration must be announced without delay, and political power must be returned to the people.”

Mazhar made these remarks on Friday while addressing a protest rally organized by the Anti-Fascist July Network in front of the National Press Club. The protest demanded that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) be freed from what the organizers described as "Awami League authoritarianism."

He stated, “This government came to power through a mass uprising. Its first responsibility is to return authority to the citizens. Yet no action has been taken—only excuses. The formation of elite commissions is a distraction. The people of Bangladesh are aware of what’s going on. A true uprising must lead to the repeal or reform of all repressive laws and institutions.”

Mazhar also condemned what he described as government efforts to discredit student and youth movements. “We see how students are being targeted with propaganda. Agencies are attempting to create division and provoke violence among them. But the public is not blind. We know who is behind these efforts. I urge students not to fall into the trap of ideological in-fighting. That’s exactly what the fascists want.”

He emphasized the urgency of continuing the democratic movement: “We must persist in our demand to return power to the people. If we fail to dismantle the entrenched structures of fascist power—like the one symbolized by House 32—then Bangladesh will face a bleak future.”

Mazhar also expressed deep concern over the government's inaction, warning that it could place the country in geopolitical jeopardy. “We’ve overthrown the fascist regime, but its constitution remains. Likewise, the telecom and IT sectors are still under fascist influence.”

He alleged that the same entities which supported the previous regime by censoring the internet and monitoring social media remain operational and are now plotting against the interim government. “We support the banning of the Awami League and its affiliates. But the government must now go further—revoke the licenses of those telecom and internet companies that served the fascist regime. If no action is taken within a week, we will stage a sit-in at the BTRC.”

Other speakers at the event included writer Zahid Jagat, poet Mohammad Romel, and Nafiul Islam of the National Citizen Party.