Asif Nazrul alleges smear campaigns for rejecting unethical lobbying
PARBATTA NEWS DESK
Law Affairs Adviser Professor Asif Nazrul has said that government advisers are often targeted with online smear campaigns after refusing to accept unethical lobbying efforts.
“Believe me, I receive many such requests. The moment I decline, the person behind it begins calling me an ‘Indian agent’ within days,” he said at a discussion in Dhaka on Thursday.
The event, titled “Freedom of the Media: Reviewing the Legal Framework for Journalists’ Protection and Grievance Redressal,” was organized by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at the CIRDAP auditorium.
Nazrul said he has become the subject of misinformation, including media programs referencing incidents from decades ago. “They say whatever they want. I stay silent—like a shell. I don’t respond, let alone file a case,” he said.
He described his current role as one of personal constraint. “I’ve never felt so powerless and restricted. I’m referring to the criticism on social media, not in mainstream outlets.”
More prominent advisers tend to face greater levels of personal attack in the media, he noted.
Despite limitations within the interim government, Nazrul said the chief adviser and others are working in the spirit of public service.
Addressing criticism over his perceived inaction, he explained that advisers have no constitutional authority in police-related matters. “No matter my goodwill, I cannot intervene if someone files a false case,” he said.
Nazrul alleged that false and baseless information is being spread about several interim advisers, including Dr Muhammad Yunus.
“Unimaginable, absurd, and cruel misinformation is being spread day after day. Yet none of us has filed a single case. We leave it to the conscience of the people of Bangladesh,” he said.
On the issue of legal action against journalists, Nazrul said lawsuits are difficult to prevent if certain groups view them as a business opportunity, especially when lawyers, politicians, or law enforcement become involved.
He said false cases are filed against people from all sectors, and while cases against journalists are regrettable, they are not entirely unexpected in the current context.
Referring to recent cases against two Ekattor TV journalists, Nazrul said the charges were not related to journalism. “There are concerns about the arrests, and whether they should receive bail is a fair question. But as the cases were filed by private individuals, we have no authority in the matter,” he added.
