Oppressed are becoming oppressors: Adviser Mahfuj
His remarks came a day after Baul singer Abul Sarkar's followers were attacked in Manikganj amid tensions surrounding his arrest in a case filed over alleged hurt to religious sentiment
Interim government's Information and Broadcasting Adviser, Mahfuj Alam, has warned that the oppressed are turning into oppressors, and those who once opposed fascism are now displaying fascistic behaviour.
In a Facebook post on his verified account yesterday evening (23 November), Mahfuj Alam expressed concern over recent incidents of intimidation and violence, saying they threaten the spirit of the July uprising.
"The oppressed are becoming oppressors, and anti-fascists are behaving like fascists. The entire situation is one of frustration and anger," he wrote.
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Warning that suppressing diversity of thought, belief, and practice could enable a return of fascism, he added, "If injustice is not replaced with fairness, if violence is not replaced with compassion, and if new forms of oppression and violence continue, those responsible will be held accountable for enabling the resurgence of fascism."
"Blocking intellectual and cultural diversity in society and the state will only restore fascism, and the July revolution will fail," he warned. Urging an end to the persecution of dissenters, he called on both the government and the public to ensure the safety of all groups: "All forms of oppression against those with differing views, including Sufi-inclined groups, fa-kirs, and Bauls, must stop."
His remarks came a day after Baul singer Abul Sarkar's followers were attacked in Manikganj amid tensions surrounding his arrest in a case filed over alleged hurt to religious sentiment. The clash left several injured and drew strong condemnation from rights activists and cultural figures.
