Asif Nazrul Denies Allegations of Collaboration with Indian Agents: Labels Claims as “Baseless and Malicious”

Renowned academic and legal advisor Professor Asif Nazrul has vehemently denied allegations made by Elias Hossain, a Bangladeshi YouTuber based in the United States, accusing him of conspiring with "Indian agents" to destabilize Bangladesh. In a recent video uploaded on November 29, Elias Hossain claimed that Asif Nazrul had participated in a meeting with military officers and alleged Indian collaborators on August 3–4, 2024.

Addressing the allegations, Professor Nazrul categorically labeled the claims as “baseless, fabricated, and malicious.” Speaking at a discussion titled “Smritir Minar: Gana-Abhyutthan 2024” at the National Press Club on November 30, he expressed his dismay over the propagation of such unfounded narratives. The event was organized by the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), where he served as the chief guest.

"A Script to Destabilize the Nation"

Professor Nazrul accused certain groups of deliberately spreading falsehoods to weaken the interim government and create chaos in the country. “There is a deliberate attempt to implement a foreign script aimed at destabilizing Bangladesh,” he said, referring to a perceived agenda to portray the current government as irreplaceable and the country as vulnerable to extremism in its absence.

He questioned the motives behind the YouTuber’s accusations, asking, “Whose purpose are you serving with these wild allegations? Even falsehoods should have limits.”

Timeline of Events: Refuting Allegations with Facts

Asif Nazrul provided a detailed account of his activities during the alleged meeting dates to debunk the claims.

• August 3, 2024:
  He attended a gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar with journalist Mahbub Morshed and other individuals, staying there until 9 PM. Later, he spent the night at the residence of Dhaka University professor Mustafa Mamun, on Fuller Road, citing concerns for his safety amidst rising political tensions.

• August 4, 2024:
  He participated in an online activist program where he openly discussed the threats facing opposition figures. “I clearly stated that they might kill or arrest us. Many of us were being advised to flee,” he recounted. Nazrul spent that night, too, at Professor Mamun’s residence.

By presenting this timeline, he aimed to disprove any possibility of his involvement in the alleged clandestine meeting.

“Our Responsibility to Build the Nation”

Amidst the controversy, Professor Nazrul highlighted the pressing need to focus on national priorities. “Our responsibility is to build this nation, not destroy it with lies and baseless accusations,” he said. He emphasized four key objectives:

1. Justice for victims of past atrocities.
2. Rehabilitation of injured and bereaved families.
3. Institutional reforms for long-term stability.
4. Free and fair elections to restore democratic practices.

“Seventeen years have passed without a proper election in Bangladesh. Young people in this country are deprived of their voting rights. This is what we should be fighting for,” he remarked.

A Call for Responsible Criticism

Nazrul stressed the importance of constructive criticism in democratic discourse but condemned the use of falsehoods to tarnish reputations. “Disagreements are natural, and we should critique each other’s work. But why resort to lies? Criticism should be grounded in truth,” he urged.

Broader Context: A Political Agenda?

Nazrul expressed concerns about a broader agenda to undermine the sovereignty of Bangladesh. He stated that false narratives were being pushed to bolster the idea that the country is incapable of governance without external influence. “This Indian script — that the country will fall to extremists without the current leadership — is being implemented by some individuals with malicious intent,” he asserted.

Several prominent figures present at the event extended their support to Asif Nazrul. Shafiqul Alam, the chief press secretary to the chief advisor, praised his resilience and commitment to justice. Poet and activist Ferdous Ara Rumi highlighted the importance of resisting false propaganda in preserving national integrity.

Political analyst Zahedur Rahman pointed out the dangers of misinformation in undermining public trust and democratic values.

Asif Nazrul concluded his remarks with a call for unity and vigilance against attempts to destabilize the nation. “Let us focus on what truly matters — justice, reform, and a democratic future. Lies and propaganda only serve to harm the people of this country,” he said.

The event ended with a shared consensus among participants to uphold truth and resist attempts to derail Bangladesh’s progress.