Mahfuz Alam faces harassment attempt at Bangladesh Consulate in New York

Mahfuz Alam, the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, was the target of an attempted harassment by Awami League supporters during an official visit to the Bangladesh Consulate in New York on Sunday evening.

The incident occurred as Adviser Alam arrived to attend a consulate-organized program marking the anniversary of the historic July Mass Uprising. A group of protesters gathered in front of the consulate, chanting slogans such as “Joy Bangla” and “Joy Bangabandhu,” while holding party flags.

Eyewitnesses reported that the demonstrators threw eggs at Alam as he approached the building and shouted slogans calling for his resignation. The glass door at the consulate entrance was reportedly broken during the unrest.

Despite the disruption, the event proceeded inside with Alam serving as chief guest. In his keynote speech, he acknowledged the contribution of expatriate Bangladeshis in the July movement.

“The contributions of the diaspora will be included in the July Declaration,” Alam said. “I am not affiliated with any political party. We envision a future where any government in power upholds the spirit of July — ensuring a corruption-free, accountable state where national interest takes precedence over politics.”

A Q&A session followed the speech, during which Alam addressed a question regarding calls to ban Indian media in Bangladesh.

“I am not in favor of banning anything,” he said. “I have always advocated for better alternatives — and that includes not banning any Awami League activities either.”

Golam Mortoza, Press Minister of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, D.C., who was present as a special guest, also addressed the tension surrounding the event.

“Once this nation was under a monarchy. That monarchy was overthrown by student leaders through sacrifice,” Mortoza said. “Now, if someone throws an egg or demands the resignation of an adviser — it is part of the democratic process.”

Consul General Mohammad Mozammel Haque delivered the welcome address and moderated the Q&A session, which became disorderly around 10 p.m.

As tensions grew outside the venue, a group of protesters reportedly waited for Alam to exit the consulate. In response, the consulate contacted local law enforcement. Adviser Alam was later escorted out safely under the protection of the New York Police Department (NYPD) shortly after midnight.

Mahfuz Alam is currently on an official state visit to the United States, which is scheduled to continue through August 27.