Nahid slams government for silence over attacks against Mahfuj Alam

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has accused the interim government of maintaining a "concerning silence" over repeated attacks on Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam, following a recent incident involving Awami League activists in London.

In a strongly worded social media post, Nahid criticised the government’s apparent inaction and lack of public condemnation, suggesting there was now "silent consent" within the administration to "humiliate or even eliminate" the adviser.

“Not a single adviser or press secretary has commented on these incidents. Within the government and its advisory council, there now seems to be a silent consent to humiliate or even eliminate Mahfuj Alam,” Nahid wrote.

The statement came a day after Awami League supporters allegedly attacked two vehicles belonging to the Bangladesh High Commission following an event attended by Mahfuj at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. Protesters reportedly threw eggs at the vehicles and blocked the road as officials attempted to leave the venue.

According to an official statement issued by the High Commission, the cars were empty at the time of the attack. Police intervened quickly and cleared the demonstrators from the scene.

The SOAS event, co-hosted by the university and the Bangladesh High Commission, marked the first anniversary of the July uprising in Bangladesh—an event that significantly reshaped the country’s political landscape.

Reacting to the incident, Nahid accused the ruling Awami League of targeting Mahfuj repeatedly for his stance on inclusive politics.

“Those in power have exploited figures like him and are now pushing them towards death. We will remember this—and there will be a political reckoning,” he warned.

He further alleged that Mahfuj had been singled out by “Awami fascists” and cautioned that others could soon face similar threats. He referenced prior violence in Gopalganj and decried what he described as the dangerous drift towards “reactionary and vengeful politics.”

“Fascism feeds on divisive politics, while Alam has been calling for a politics rooted in inclusion, responsibility, and empathy in the aftermath of the uprising,” Nahid added.

Ganosamhati Andolan also condemned the London incident. In a joint statement, Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki and Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel warned that disunity among pro-uprising forces was allowing such attacks to continue.

“From the very beginning of the post-uprising period, we have repeatedly called for maintaining national unity and refraining from inciting division. The defeated forces are being emboldened by this disunity,” the statement read.

This is not the first time Mahfuj Alam has faced physical hostility abroad. In August, he was assaulted outside the Bangladesh Consulate in New York, where Awami.