Provocative activities by leftists, rightists destabilising the country: Mahfuj Alam

Certain leaders and individuals with left or right ideologies have become agitated after failing to secure their position in the interim government, Adviser Mahfuj Alam said today (25 November) in the wake of violent clashes between students of different institutions.

"Their [the leaders'] erratic behaviour, revolutionary fervour, and provocative actions have contributed to destabilising the country," he wrote in a Facebook post.

Highlighting the country's historical context, Mahfuj Alam said, "The decade and a half following the Liberation War is marked by a tragic chapter in history where freedom fighters turned against one another. Those who opposed the establishment of a stable and prosperous Bangladesh systematically eliminated the freedom fighters. While the freedom fighters themselves were not without fault, history will eventually reveal how these successive killings hindered Bangladesh's progress."

Calling the mass uprising as a people's movement led by students and youth, Mahfuj wrote, "Over the past three months, a faction, along with local and foreign opportunistic entities, has tarnished the image of the students. They have sown discord among them by creating rival student organisations and pitting one youth group against the other. Instead of treating the students with respect, they regarded them as adversaries."

Mahfuj praised the recent mass uprising as a powerful people's movement driven by students and youth. 

However, he condemned a certain faction for exploiting the situation to their own advantage, creating rival student organisations, and inciting conflict among young people. 

"Instead of recognising and respecting the students' demands, this faction has treated them as adversaries," he said.

Mahfuj questioned the motives behind the recent events, emphasising the resilience of the Bangladeshi people against foreign influence. 

He went on to say, "However, certain individuals, driven by a slave mentality, have demonstrated this power over the past three months. Those who benefit from undermining the students' legitimacy by driving them into conflict and violence are complicit in this provocation and administrative failure." 

Mahfuj warned that the truth will eventually be revealed.

The adviser condemned the attempts to sow discord among students and provoke them into acts of defiance.

"We are moving toward unity, just as we did on the morning of 5 August. This time, the unity we have built through organizational power will pave the way for lasting liberation," he added.