POBNEWS24, Dhaka Feb 8, 2025 : The Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, accused the ousted dictatorship and its allies of conspiring against Professor Muhammad Yunus, alleging that Indian media outlets are complicit in this plot.
He made these remarks during the book launch ceremony titled ‘Graffiti of Treachery: The Mass Uprising of 24′ held at Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club on Saturday (February 8). The book, authored by GM Rajib Hossain, chronicles the events surrounding the historic mass uprising.
Shafiqul said, “In their (Awami League) narrative, Yunus is portrayed as a militant leader, and those around him are labelled similarly. Do you know why they are doing this? It’s part of a meticulously crafted campaign—and the Indian media is also involved.”
He added that Sheikh Hasina’s supporters are reportedly investing millions of dollars to propagate this narrative.
He explained that Sheikh Hasina aims to rewrite history by convincing the international community that the July Revolution was not a genuine mass uprising but rather an external conspiracy. “If they succeed in persuading foreigners that the events in our country were outside the global order, then the image of Professor Yunus will be distorted,” Shafiqul warned.
Highlighting Professor Yunus’ decades-long public service, Shafiqul Alam emphasised, “Professor Yunus has been active in public life for six decades. Everyone knows him—a Nobel laureate, a symbol of Bangladesh’s progress. Yet, they attempt to tarnish his reputation because they want to erase the unique history of the new Bangladesh.”
Shafiqul drew parallels with past attempts to distort historical narratives, questioning, “How many books or articles were written about the famine of 1974 during her 15-year rule? None. Why? Because forgetting history is their primary tool to exploit us.”
The press secretary condemned the atrocities committed under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, accusing her administration of embezzling $234 billion from Bangladesh’s coffers. He further alleged that her regime was responsible for forcibly disappearing 3,500 citizens and killing 2,000 people during the July-August crackdown, including children aged 4-8 years.
Referring to specific incidents, Shafiqul recalled the Shapla Chattar massacre and the brutal killings following the verdict against Delwar Hossain Sayedee. He criticised the hypocrisy of claiming judicial independence while allowing such violations, citing the case where the Chief Justice was assaulted by his own security personnel and handed over to the police. “If this can happen to the Chief Justice, what kind of independent justice system do we have?” he questioned.
Shafiqul urged the nation to remember its history and hold accountable those who sought to suppress it. “They portray themselves as victims abroad when they are the oppressors here,” he said, underscoring the need to expose their crimes.
The event, chaired by National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, featured BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury, and Amar Desh Executive Editor Syed Abdal Ahmed.
