Pirojpur Awami League leader Mofizul and wife flee Bangladesh in secret to save lives

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Faced with extreme insecurity, persistent death threats, and intense political vendetta, Md. Mofizul Alam—a former student leader and Awami League activist from Pirojpur—has been forced to leave Bangladesh in utmost secrecy.

He is a former Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader at Pirojpur Government Suhrawardy College and a current executive committee member of the Upazila branch of the Awami League. Following the historic political transition in Bangladesh in August 2024 and the unprecedented nationwide instability that ensued, Mofizul was confronted with a harsh reality and is currently residing in Punchbowl, Sydney, Australia. Fearing for his life and safety, he has applied for a Protection visa (subclass 866) and refugee status with the Australian government. Reports also confirm that his newlywed wife was subsequently forced to leave Bangladesh in extreme secrecy due to the severe lack of security.

Family Background and Political Origins

Md. Mofizul Alam was born on December 31, 1985, into a respected Freedom Fighter family in Pirojpur. Raised in a household driven by the spirit of the Liberation War, secularism, and democratic ideals, Mofizul developed a strong political conviction toward the Bangladesh Awami League from his youth. After completing his SSC in 2001, he enrolled at Pirojpur Government Suhrawardy College and became actively involved in politics through BCL. Recognizing his organizational skills, he was appointed Joint General Secretary of the college BCL unit in 2005. He completed his HSC in 2010, enrolled in the BA program at the same institution, and was elected Vice-President of the Suhrawardy College BCL unit in 2012. He completed his Master’s degree in 2016.

Electoral Politics and Organizational Roles

Mofizul Alam played a leading role in political activities within the Pirojpur-1 constituency. During the 2014 General Election, he was actively engaged at the field level, campaigning for the Awami League candidate against war criminal Delwar Hossain Sayeedi. In the 2018 election, he spearheaded extensive campaign efforts in support of party nominee S.M. Rezaul Karim and was later named an executive member of the party’s Upazila unit. During the January 2024 General Election, Mofizul was in Australia pursuing higher education; however, in his absence, his family members led local efforts supporting party candidate S.M. Rezaul Karim and the "Boat" symbol. This long-standing political activism and family connection sparked severe, long-term friction with local political opponents.

Attacks, Lawlessness, and a Tragic Flight

Although Mofizul was residing in Australia for higher education, he returned to Bangladesh with dreams of settling permanently in his homeland and starting a new life after marriage. Returning in late 2024, he married on November 22. However, those plans were short-lived. Following the political transition in August 2024, a wave of retaliation targeted Mofizul and his family. His ancestral home in Pirojpur was attacked and vandalized in a first incident around that period, followed by a second attack on July 25, 2025.

Mofizul and his family allege that militants and supporters linked to local mob factions of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP were involved in the assault.

Following the second attack, Mofizul received continuous death threats from unknown sources. Despite approaching the local police station seeking personal protection and justice for the attacks, no police assistance was provided. His family expressed outrage, stating they faced severe harassment simply attempting to file a case. Caught between persistent threats and attacks from political opponents on one side and a complete lack of legal protection on the other, Mofizul made the final decision to flee the country. Consequently, under severe threat to his safety, he was forced to leave Bangladesh in absolute secrecy on December 7, 2024. Amid escalating threats and panic, his wife was later forced to flee the country in total secrecy as well. A special news report highlighting this ongoing political vendetta against Mofizul Alam was published on December 29, 2024, explicitly detailing the persecution that forced his flight.

Grassroots Crisis and Future Uncertainty

Speaking via phone from abroad, Mofizul Alam stated: "I returned home and got married. After finishing my studies, I wanted to settle down permanently and start a happy married life in my own country. But due to political vendetta, my home was repeatedly attacked. Fearing for my life and my wife's safety, and getting no help from the police, I was forced to leave the country in secret." Family sources have confirmed that Mofizul Alam and his wife have arrived safely in Australia.

According to Mofizul Alam, the protests that initially began as a quota reform movement were later overtaken and influenced by extremist groups. Since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought refuge in India on August 5, 2024, Awami League leaders and activists have faced ongoing harassment, false cases, and physical violence. Mofizul strongly believes that if he returns to Bangladesh, he will face severe political retaliation and extreme physical harm.

Reports indicate that in the wake of the political transition and widespread nationwide violence, numerous grassroots Awami League workers and supporters in Bangladesh have suffered severe persecution, with many losing their lives. Because of his ideology and political identity, dedicated activists like Mofizul now find themselves far from home in foreign lands, facing an uncertain future, and forced to seek international protection. This abrupt flight and the attacks on their ancestral home have sent shockwaves through local political circles and raised deep concerns among the general public.