Mahfuj Alam hopes youth to lead in building democratic mindset, future state

Adviser to the Interim Government Mahfuj Alam today expressed the hope that the youth of the country will lead in building democratic mindset and the future state for all.

“The youth of the country will lead to build democratic mindset as well as the future state for all,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a documentary and photo exhibition programme organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) auditorium in the capital marking the Youth Festival-2025.

“With digital accessibility, the youth have driven out the fascists of this century by standing in front of live bullets. The anger and resentment of the youth must be used positively to save the country from fascism. Our youth will become role models for the youth of the world,” he added.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana presided over the programme while Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Shaheed Shakil’s mother Bibi Ayesha spoke on the occasion as special guests. PIB Director General Faruk Wasif moderated the programme.

The anger and hatred of the youth must be directed in a positive direction, Mahfuj said, adding that the remnant of fascism must be removed from the country.

He called for transforming the July-August Uprising into a total revolution.

The mentality of fascist Sheikh Hasina has polluted the society of youth and that is why, this society, along with 18 crore people of the country, must be freed from that, he said.

He also said, “Fascism must be removed from individuals and structures. A new Bangladesh must be built through new settlements based on the expectations of the martyrs and the injured.”

About the reforms, the adviser said the July-August killings need to be tried and institutional reforms must be made.

He underscored the need for radical changes in institutions for reforms.

The essence of Shaheed Abu Sayed must be awakened among all people, he said, adding that through Sayed’s spirit, a new Bangladesh must be built.

Highlighting the misrule of fascist dictator Sheikh Hasina, adviser Mahfuj said she followed her father’s footsteps by carrying out torture and oppression on the dissent just like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s style from 1972 to 1975.

“Sheikh Mujib created divisions among the freedom fighters. During his tenure, people were forcibly disappeared and killed indiscriminately,” he added.

Mahfuj said, “Sheikh Hasina turned the police force and the BGB into the ‘Rokkhi Bahini’. She broke the morale of the army through the Pilkhana massacre. She contaminated the army that was built through the Liberation War.”

Sheikh Hasina learned from history and she did not have to create the ‘Baksal’ but she formed the administration based on the mentality of Baksal, he said, adding that she left this evidence in July-August (2024).

Recalling the contribution of the youth to the country, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said: “In the July-August Uprising, the youth have done what we could not do.”

He called for energizing the youth further to bring positive change in the country.

He urged all to stand by the youth society to build a new Bangladesh in the days to come.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana said the youth of the country have fought against the fascist government by shedding their fresh blood.

“In continuation of that, we got freedom,” she said, adding: “If the fascist government had not fallen, none of us who are standing here would have been able to stand. We would have disappeared.”

Talking about the programme, she said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is celebrating the Youth Festival-2025 in a joyful atmosphere under the direction of the Interim Government’s Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to uphold the spirit of youth.”

She said eight documentaries have already been made at the initiative of young filmmakers for the festival.

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) has published 400 reports on the martyrs and injured in the July-August uprising while PIB has published 10 parts of manuscripts, she added. (BSS)