Bangladesh’s Press Minister at the Washington Embassy, Golam Mortoza, has clarified that Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuz Alam was not attacked during a programme at the Bangladesh Consulate in New York on Sunday, though the consulate premises were vandalised by a group of protesters.

The event, held to mark the anniversary of the July Uprising, was attended by Adviser Mahfuz Alam, who participated in the scheduled programme without incident and left safely, according to official accounts.

“There was no attack on Adviser Mahfuz Alam,” Mortoza told Jago News. “He took part in the programme normally and departed as planned. The programme concluded without any internal disruption.”

However, Mortoza confirmed that the consulate building was targeted by a group of agitators. “The main glass door near the entrance on the main road was kicked and shattered. They also threw eggs and hurled abuses,” he said, adding that the vandalism occurred as attendees arrived at the consulate.

Mortoza identified the perpetrators as “Awami fascists,” a term used by critics to refer to supporters of the ousted Awami League regime.

“These are the same people who played no role in the July-August uprising,” he said. “They are angry because the student leaders who helped lead the movement in North America were being honoured.”

He explained that the attackers were quickly removed by local police after they stormed the premises and began causing damage. “When we entered the consulate, we saw them. The police responded promptly and took them away.”

Despite the external disruption, Mortoza emphasised that the commemorative programme proceeded peacefully and without interruption. “We conducted the event as planned. We left without any problems.”

The incident marks a flashpoint in the ongoing political tensions playing out in diaspora communities since the fall of the previous government. While no injuries were reported, the attack on a diplomatic mission has raised concerns about the safety of Bangladeshi officials abroad.

Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions have seen heightened security in recent months amid a wave of political activism and counter-protests from opposing factions overseas.