The Bangladesh Consulate General in New York has written to local police, the Mayor’s Office, and the U.S. State Department’s local office, requesting action over an incident at the consulate premises during a programme on Sunday.
In a press release issued Monday, the consulate said the disturbance occurred during an event marking the first anniversary of the July Uprising Day.
The discussion session was attended by more than 150 guests, including Bangladeshi students and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora. Mohammad Mahfuz Alam, Adviser at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was the chief guest.
At the consulate’s request, New York City police deployed security personnel before the programme began.
However, from 5 p.m. onwards, members of the U.S. Awami League and its affiliated organisations gathered outside with what the consulate described as hostile intent to disrupt the programme and directly attack the chief guest.
The protesters chanted anti-government slogans, used abusive language, and harassed arriving guests to prevent them from attending.
They allegedly threw eggs at visitors and struck the glass door of an adjacent office in the same building, leaving it cracked. Police intervened, restrained the agitators, and detained some individuals. The consulate has already provided police with photographic and video evidence of the incident, the release said.
The press release added that the protesters remained outside the consulate with party flags until midnight. Despite this, the chief guest was able to enter the venue without incident, engage with the audience, and later depart safely after dinner.
Police left the scene only after his departure.
The consulate stressed that the agitators failed in their attempt to disrupt the programme or harm the guest, and are now spreading false propaganda on social media and digital platforms.
It urged the public not to be misled by such misinformation. To ensure accountability, the Bangladesh Consulate General has formally requested local police, the Mayor’s Office, and the U.S. State Department’s local office to take appropriate legal action against those involved.
