Press Secretary Shafiqul Apologizes for Remarks on BBC Bangla

Staff Reporter

Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, issued a public apology for his recent remarks about BBC Bangla. In a post on his verified Facebook page, Shafiqul expressed his desire to retract and amend his statements.

“I apologize for my recent comments on BBC Bangla and wish to correct my earlier statement,” Shafiqul wrote. He explained that his remarks were based on two specific issues: BBC Bangla’s repeated claims that Sheikh Hasina had fled to India and its decision to publish an interview with Tarique Rahman despite restrictions during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. He added, “Whether Tarique Rahman gives BBC an interview now is entirely his personal matter.”

The controversy began on February 5, when Shafiqul posted a comment on his Facebook profile, accusing BBC Bangla of being biased toward Sheikh Hasina. He stated, “It seems BBC Bangla has become a fan of the ousted dictator and genocide perpetrator Sheikh Hasina. When they write about her, they omit the context of her ‘flight to India.’”

The post was swiftly deleted, but it sparked widespread criticism and debate. Shafiqul’s subsequent apology aimed to address the backlash, drawing attention from his followers on social media.

The incident highlights the ongoing tension between government officials and media outlets amid politically charged narratives in Bangladesh.|