Awami League leaders and activists staged a protest against Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuz Alam on Friday outside the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, where he attended a seminar marking the first anniversary of Bangladesh’s July mass uprising.
According to a statement from the Bangladesh High Commission in London, around 18 protesters gathered on the road outside the venue, chanting slogans and attempting to block vehicles as the adviser departed. Police officers, who had been deployed in advance, intervened and stopped the blockade. Protesters, however, managed to hurl eggs at cars belonging to the High Commission, though Mahfuz Alam was not inside those vehicles.
The demonstration took place at around 4:30pm and was later confirmed by Bangladesh High Commissioner Abida Islam. Press Minister Akbar Hossain also acknowledged the incident in a Facebook post, adding that London’s Metropolitan Police assured continuous security for the adviser throughout his engagements.
After leaving SOAS, Mahfuz Alam participated in a second programme at the High Commission in the evening, which brought together representatives of political parties, students, and journalists.
Speaking at the discussion titled “One year since the July mass uprising,” the adviser said, “Today, I was close to being attacked by the Awami League.” He added that such incidents abroad in the name of political rivalry tarnish the country’s image.
