Khoda Baksh Chowdhury has stepped down from his position as special assistant to the chief adviser overseeing Bangladesh’s home ministry, following growing criticism and pressure linked to the country’s worsening law and order situation. His resignation marks a significant development amid heightened public and political scrutiny of the ministry’s handling of recent violence.
The resignation was formally accepted by the President on Wednesday, December 24. Khoda Baksh Chowdhury had assumed the role of special assistant to the chief adviser on November 11 last year, where he was entrusted with responsibilities connected to internal security and policing at a sensitive time for the country.
A former inspector general of the Bangladesh Police, Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, brought with him long experience in both domestic law enforcement and international peacekeeping. His career included service with the United Nations Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia, where he joined in May 1996 and initially served as deputy sector chief before later being promoted to sector chief in one of the mission’s two operational sectors.
Pressure on the leadership of the home ministry escalated sharply after the death of Inqilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a gun attack on December 12. The incident sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over public safety, prompting calls for accountability from those overseeing internal security.
In the aftermath of Hadi’s death, demands grew for the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, along with Khoda Baksh Chowdhury. Critics cited a broader deterioration in law and order and questioned the effectiveness of the current leadership in addressing rising violence and unrest.
Against this backdrop of mounting criticism and public pressure, Khoda Baksh Chowdhury submitted his resignation, which has now been officially accepted, bringing his tenure as special assistant to an end amid an increasingly volatile political and security environment.
