Relieved that govt took stand for students-public despite challenges: Asif Mahmud

It is a relief that the Advisory Council of the interim government, despite many obstacles, ultimately took a stand for the students and the public, and is able to implement the public opinion, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said today (11 May).

"As long as this council upholds the spirit of the [2024] July uprising and gives due importance to its voice, I will remain involved. But if it turns its back on the martyrs of the uprising, I have no place here," Asif said in a post on his Facebook profile.

Highlighting the continuing struggle for justice and democracy, he added, "It is harder to preserve independence than to achieve it — there's no harder truth than this. The fight on the streets continues. 

"Sometimes, I feel like leaving everything and returning to the streets — that's where I truly belong, where I'm comfortable and used to being. Even when I think of stepping away [from my position in the government], I have to stay [in the advisory council] to safeguard the uprising, to carry the voices of the student-public movement of July. This fight of ours often goes unseen and unheard."

Alleging misinformation against Adviser Mahfuj Alam circulating on social media, he said, "I've seen photo cards falsely claiming that Mahfuj Bhai is against banning the Awami League. Please stop spreading such lies. It's normal to have ideological differences, but expressing those through malicious falsehood is not acceptable. Since the very beginning, Mahfuj Bhai has argued for banning the Awami League and discussed the best methods to do so."

Asif also warned people who sympathise with the Awami League, stating, "The banning of the Awami League marks another victory for the people of the July movement. Those within the establishment who still sympathise with the party should be cautious — a small misstep could lead to your downfall. There's no room for peace in Bangladesh without acknowledging July."