Staff Correspondent 

Some of those who used to praise me during Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic rule have now unfriended me. Many of my relatives have already severed ties. My wife has warned me that when I leave this post, I will find myself alone. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam wrote this in a Facebook post.

 Shafiqul Alam expressed his fear of being alone after leaving the position of Press Secretary in a Facebook post on Saturday. 

 However, he also stated that he has no regrets about it. Because he believes that he is fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to him properly. Therefore, when he resigns in a few months, he hopes to look back with pride.

In his post, the Press Secretary wrote, “Many years ago, during Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic period, I used to write about opposition leaders who defied her rule. They served as beacons of hope for our nation. Their relatives often shared those posts and sometimes messaged me. They praised my writings and journalism.”

Describing the situation after taking up responsibilities in the interim government, Shafiqul Alam wrote, “Now, after taking on a sensitive role in the interim government, I’ve noticed that some of these individuals have unfriended me. I am no longer the same person. To some, I’ve become arrogant — an intolerant press official towards dissent.”

Expressing his fears in this situation, the Press Secretary wrote, “In this situation, I fear that I may lose many Facebook friends I’ve built up over my journalism career. Many of my relatives have already cut ties with me because I do not seek their favor. My wife has warned me that when I leave this post, I will find myself alone.”

The Press Secretary further said, “But I have no objection. While documenting some of the most violent events in our history, I was completely alone. When speaking up for the rights of Biharis and highlighting the injustices they endured, I was essentially alone.

“For me, the most important thing is to ensure whether I am working with fairness and justice. Am I protecting my employers effectively and properly? And secondly, am I harming anyone in the process?”

Sharing the challenge for himself, the Press Secretary wrote, “Power corrupts in ways that no one can imagine or perceive. During the Abbasid era, Sufis used to avoid government positions, uncertain whether they could remain intact. The biggest challenge for a person in power is to ensure that they do not harm others.”

In the final part of the post, the Press Secretary wrote, “So far, this is my vow. A few months from now, when I resign, I hope to look back with pride because I know I have achieved these two goals.”