Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir on Tuesday said Adviser Mahfuj Alam's recent Facebook post was entirely his personal opinion and things were made clear in his follow-up Facebook post. “It is entirely his (Mahfuj) personal opinion. He shared another post from his Facebook account where he made things clear,” he said while responding to a question about the recent Facebook post which drew reactions from India. Clarifying further, Apurba said the Facebook post was deleted later and stressed that it was not government’s opinion what Mahfuj shared from his verified Facebook account. Spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal, while responding to a question in a weekly briefing on December 20, said they have taken this up with the Bangladesh government. "We have actually strongly registered our protest on this issue. We understand that the post that you referred to has been taken down. We would like to remind all concerned to be mindful of their public comments," Jaiswal said. In his follow-up Facebook post, Adviser Mahfuj Alam said the nation lives on imagination and the state on institutions. Read: India should recognise July uprising, democratic struggle: Mahfuj “The imagination and articulation in line with history, culture, and civilization are necessary elements for reinvigorating the spirit of the nation. Yes, the state and its functionaries demand prudence and pragmatism,” he said. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi were also present at the media briefing.  

Adviser Mahfuj Alam has said India should unequivocally recognise the July uprising and the student-led democratic struggle in Bangladesh. “This is the first thing to start with. Bypassing the July uprising, the foundation of new Bangladesh will be detrimental to the relationship of both countries,” Mahfuj shared the view in a Facebook post on Wednesday amid the growing tensions in India-Bangladesh relations. “Indophiles, or Indian allies in this part of Bengal, are thinking that things are going to cool down and bypass the July uprising and the fascist's atrocities won't cost them anything. It's a wrong idea. People are watching everything!” he said. Read: BNP demands overseas treatment for critically injured July uprising victims The Indian establishment tried to portray the uprising as something militant, anti-Hindu, and an Islamist takeover. But their propaganda and provocation are failing, he added. “Bangladeshi people are enjoying democratic rights without any ifs and buts after nearly two long decades! Truth has come...the false will be doomed. Forever!” “India should change the Post '75 playbook and realise the new Bangladesh realities. It's not a post-'75-like situation. The July uprising was about a democratic, generational, and responsible struggle. And, this struggle will continue for a long period,” he added. Read more: Palestinian struggle was key inspiration behind July Uprising: Nahid Islam Unlike before, Bangladeshi people are united and dignified and they will fight for their dignity till their death.

Adviser Mahfuj Alam on Wednesday sought the support of the United Kingdom to bring back the money laundered from Bangladesh and run the economy that was left in fragile condition by the past autocratic regime. “Laundered money has gone from our land to your land... we want that money back to run our economy,” Mahfuj told British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke when the latter met him at his office in Tejgaon. Mahfuj raised the issue of a fresh travel alert that drew widespread attention on Tuesday with the British envoy, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. High Commissioner Cooke cited a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office report to assure the adviser that the UK constantly reviews travel advice for each country to ensure it includes up to date information and advice on the most relevant issues for British people visiting or living here. Mahfuj explained to the High Commissioner the efforts of the government to create a national consensus on various issues, including the election process. “It’s our revolution, and we have to protect it,” he said. “The ideals of the July Revolution were basically dignity. Bangladeshi people did not have dignity for many years. So, they have kind of an emotional attachment to this revolution. They also fought for equality and justice,” Mahfuj said. High Commissioner Cooke highlighted the challenges ahead of the interim government and the UK support to the interim government’s work to create a pathway to an inclusive democratic future in Bangladesh.

Interim government’s Adviser Mahfuj Alam on Thursday said the much-desired national election would be held once the reform works become visible. He made remarks while responding to a question at a media briefing at Foreign Service Academy in the evening. Adviser Mahfuj urges students to submit demands through proper channels Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, who was present at the briefing said, election is the ultimate goal and the government wants the election after necessary reforms as soon as possible. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present. Rizwana Hasan said there has been no discussion at the meeting of the Council of Advisers regarding banning any organisation as they differentiate responsibility of an organisation and an individual.