Mahfuj Alam, a prominent organizer of the July uprising and former Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has alleged that he was barred from performing his duties during the final four months of his tenure.
The former adviser made these remarks on Tuesday (January 13) at a seminar titled “State Reconstruction and Referendum” held at the TSC Auditorium of Dhaka University.
Security Concerns and Silent Suppression
Addressing the audience, Mahfuj Alam explained his recent absence from public life, citing security risks following the martyrdom of Osman Hadi.
“I usually do not leave my house after the martyrdom of Shahid Osman Hadi due to security concerns,” he said. “You might ask where my security is. There are genuine concerns because we spoke the truth. For this reason, I was not allowed to work in the ministry for the last four months.”
Critique of the Reform Process
Mahfuj Alam emphasized that the mass uprising was intended for the collective change of the people, not for the benefit of a select few. He expressed frustration over the stagnation of state reforms and the continued influence of vested interest groups.
- Failure to Reform: “We could not reform the state. It is impossible to build a new structure while keeping people from the old system in place,” he stated.
- Vested Interests: He further alleged that local “agents” have continued to amass wealth and control media outlets, with no significant changes occurring despite the revolution.
- Political Collusion: Mahfuj Alam warned that many who led the July uprising are now “walking backward like ghosts,” making secret deals with old political forces under the guise of new arrangements.
Call for Resource Redistribution
Highlighting the need for economic justice, the former adviser pointed out that political settlements must involve the redistribution of power and resources. He noted that no significant work has been done regarding land distribution, which he considers essential for a lasting transition.
NCP Calls for a “Yes” Vote
Speaking at the same event, Nasiruddin Patwari, the Chief Organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP), urged the public to unite and ensure a victory for the “Yes” vote in the upcoming referendum.
“The youth must take up this challenge. If the ‘Yes’ vote does not succeed in the referendum, the desired reforms will not be possible,” Nasiruddin Patwari said, calling for an end to factionalism in the pursuit of building a just society.
