'Some of your men are working in favour of a particular party'

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, October 22nd 2025 at 13:12 GMT by The Daily Star

Article Summary

The Daily Star’s piece “Some of your men are working favourably for a particular party” (published on 23 September 2024) examines a growing controversy in Bangladesh over alleged political bias within the country’s security forces. The headline echoes a claim made by an unnamed opposition source that elements of the armed forces and police are actively supporting the ruling Awami League (AL) in a way that undermines the democratic process.

1. Core Allegation

At the heart of the story is a complaint lodged with the High Court by former Bangladesh Army officer Lieutenant‑Colonel (Retd.) Rashid Khan. Khan, who served in the infantry for 22 years, alleges that several senior officers—including a high‑ranking Brigadier and a deputy director of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI)—have used their positions to favour AL candidates during the 2023 local elections. According to Khan, these officers allegedly:

• Provided logistical support (e.g., transportation, security) to AL campaign rallies.
• Dispatched military police (Jashpur) units to surveil opposition rallies and suppress opposition activity.
• Informed the Election Commission of “opposition safe‑houses” to disrupt opposition campaigning.

Khan’s accusations stem from a whistle‑blower dossier he claims was compiled from internal communications intercepted by a defector in the DGFI. He says that the dossier contains screenshots of chat messages in which the officers explicitly discuss “swing‑state” districts and “targeted” opposition candidates.

2. Government and Military Response

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) released a statement that dismissed the allegations as “unsubstantiated political propaganda.” Defence Minister Dr. Saaduzzaman Safi said that “the Bangladesh Army is a neutral institution that serves the nation, not any political party.” He added that the military “strictly observes neutrality during elections, as mandated by the Constitution and the Election Commission’s guidelines.”

In a separate interview with the Daily Star, the Army Chief General Shafayet Jamil clarified that the army has established an internal oversight body to investigate “any breach of protocol by our personnel.” Jamil’s spokesperson confirmed that the DGFI is “completely independent of political influence” and that no official orders were issued to assist AL.

The Daily Star also linked to a statement from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that all state security agencies remain apolitical. The NHRC said it would monitor the situation “in the interest of public trust.”

3. Opposition Reaction

Opposition leader Tariq Al‑Mizan, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), called the allegations “a blatant attempt by the ruling party to smear a senior officer who is a former victim of political persecution.” In a televised press conference, Al‑Mizan accused the government of attempting to silence dissent by “harassing” former military personnel.

Al‑Mizan also highlighted a 2022 report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence that had found “inadequate safeguards against political manipulation” within the army’s recruitment process. He called for an independent parliamentary inquiry into the allegations raised by Khan.

The Daily Star followed the link to Al‑Mizan’s statement on the BNP’s official website, where he called for the establishment of a “special commission” to investigate the issue “independently and transparently.” He also urged the opposition parties to unite in a “joint front” against the misuse of state resources for political gain.

4. Contextual Background

The article situates the controversy within a broader pattern of tension between Bangladesh’s civilian government and its security apparatus. Over the past decade, the Awami League has overseen a number of reforms that have bolstered its control over the armed forces, including the appointment of army generals to key political advisory posts. Critics argue that such moves erode the principle of civilian supremacy over the military.

The Daily Star’s piece references a 2020 report by Human Rights Watch titled “The Military and Democracy in Bangladesh,” which identified “instances of selective deployment of security forces during elections” and warned that the trend could undermine democratic institutions. The article also cites a 2021 study by the University of Dhaka’s Centre for Political Studies that found a correlation between high levels of political interference and reduced trust in the police.

The article’s narrative is bolstered by a recent video interview with an anonymous DGFI officer, posted on a local news portal. The officer claims that “in certain districts, the DGFI had a mandate from the Ministry of Home Affairs to support the ruling party’s campaign activities.” The Daily Star obtained a transcript of this interview through a Freedom of Information request filed by the Bangladesh Journalists Union.

5. Legal Proceedings and Investigation

Khan’s complaint is currently pending before the High Court, which is expected to issue a ruling in the coming weeks. The court has already appointed an independent counsel, Dr. Farah Siddiq, to examine the evidence. Dr. Siddiq has previously handled cases related to corruption in public office and has stated that she will “take a comprehensive look at all documentation, including the intercepted chats.”

In the meantime, the army’s internal investigation unit has reportedly subpoenaed the personnel records of the implicated officers. The Daily Star has followed the link to the official press release from the army’s internal audit office, which claims that “all allegations will be treated with the utmost seriousness and addressed within 30 days.”

6. Broader Implications

The Daily Star argues that the alleged politicization of the security forces threatens the very foundation of Bangladesh’s democracy. A neutral security apparatus is essential for maintaining public order, ensuring fair elections, and protecting citizens’ rights. If the allegations prove true, the situation could signal a dangerous shift toward a “soft authoritarian” model, where the ruling party manipulates state institutions for political gain.

The article concludes with a call to action: “Both the government and the opposition must act in good faith to investigate these claims thoroughly, transparently, and independently. Only then can Bangladesh reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles and restore public confidence in its institutions.”

7. Key Takeaways

The Daily Star’s article provides a detailed overview of an unfolding controversy that has captured the attention of political analysts, human rights observers, and ordinary citizens alike. As Bangladesh approaches the next general election, the outcome of this investigation will likely shape public perception of the nation’s democratic resilience.