Mahfuj apologises for divisive remarks

Staff Reporter :

Amid growing tensions within the interim administration and the broader opposition camp, Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam on Thursday issued a rare public apology for past remarks that he acknowledged as divisive, expressing a renewed commitment to work with “respect and sensitivity” towards all groups involved in last year’s July uprising.

In a statement posted to his verified Facebook account, Mahfuj wrote, “The country is bigger than the ideals and emotions of any individual. I sincerely regret any previous statements and wording that were divisive. If I remain in government for another day, I want to work with respect and sensitivity to all forces of the uprising.”

His comments come at a time of heightened friction between various factions within the anti-authoritarian bloc that drove the mass uprising last July, which ultimately led to the fall of the Awami League government. Tensions have recently flared over ideological differences, appointment disputes, and competing visions for the path forward.

Calling for restraint and collective responsibility, Mahfuj warned that “sovereignty and all democratic institutions are under threat” and described the current moment as “a long test of unity and patience” for those who led the pro-democracy movement.

He urged political actors to move beyond “divisive slogans and label-mongering,” stressing that only through cooperation and tolerance could a democratic and inclusive state be achieved.
“The enemies of Bangladesh are united and aggressive,” he wrote. “The patriotic people who were united in the July uprising have a long test ahead of them. This test must be passed.”