Protests Erupt in London Against Bangladesh Interim Government Adviser

Protests Target Bangladesh Adviser in London

During a program at SOAS-University of London commemorating the first anniversary of Bangladesh's July uprising, Mahfuz Alam, the Information and Broadcasting Adviser of the interim government, faced protests as demonstrators hurled eggs at vehicles associated with the Bangladesh High Commission. The protesters attempted to obstruct the vehicles' movement briefly.

The Metropolitan Police in London acted swiftly, and reports indicate that Alam was not present in the vehicles that were targeted.

The Bangladesh High Commission confirmed that police maintained ongoing communication and provided assurances of 'full security' for the Adviser during his public engagements.

This incident follows a similar occurrence in New York a few weeks prior, where Alam was also confronted by protesters who threw eggs and, according to various reports, bottles, damaging glass doors at the Bangladesh Consulate General. The mission subsequently reached out to local authorities, including the State Department, to seek appropriate action.

Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, publicly denounced the harassment attempts. He emphasized that the government, alongside the people of Bangladesh and the authorities in both host nations, stands firmly against such acts of violence, which contradict the principles of civilized discourse.

He stated, 'This pattern of conduct has no place in any democracy that values argument over aggression and debate over thuggery. As we expressed after the New York incident, violence is not protest; intimidation is not free speech. These sentiments resonate just as strongly in London as they did in New York.'

In related news, Bangladeshi media outlet Prothom Alo reported that candidates affiliated with Islami Chhatra Shibir, under the banner of the United Students' Alliance, have won nine out of fifteen significant positions in the recent DUCSU elections, including Vice President, General Secretary, and Assistant General Secretary.

Abu Shadik Kayem, a Shibir leader, secured the Vice President position with 14,042 votes, significantly ahead of his nearest competitor, BNP's student wing leader Abidul Islam Khan, who garnered 5,708 votes.

Following the fall of the Awami League government during the July uprising, Shibir made a public comeback in September of the previous year and has now achieved a remarkable victory in the DUCSU elections within just a year of its resurgence.