On March 27, the US State Department reiterated its vigilance regarding the developments surrounding the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi, India. The department also disclosed its monitoring of the allegations made by the Indian National Congress concerning the freezing of their bank accounts ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. These statements were made during a routine press briefing by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. India, for the second time, has strongly protested against the remarks made by Miller.
During the press briefing, the journalist who raised the crucial question on Kejriwal and Congress was identified as Mushfiqul Fazal (Ansarey), a Bangladeshi journalist serving as a White House/UN correspondent for SA Perspectives and Just News BD.
If we go by the video, Fazal inquired, “What is your response to India’s summoning of the U.S. diplomat over comments regarding the arrest of Delhi’s Chief Minister Kejriwal, and how do you view the recent political turmoil in India, in the fazing of the opposition party’s bank account? As Amnesty International described the situation, ‘Crackdown on opposition reaches a crisis point ahead of national elections.’”
In response, Miller stated, “So concerning the second question, we continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress Party’s allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to campaign in the upcoming elections effectively, and we encourage fair, transparent, and timely legal processes for each of these issues. Concerning your first question, I’m not going to talk about any private diplomatic conversations. But of course, what we have said publicly is what I just said here: that we encourage fair, transparent, and timely legal processes. We don’t think anyone should object to that, and we’ll make the same thing clear privately.”
Furthermore, Fazal directed the same query to the spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General during a daily press briefing on March 28. He inquired, “How do you perceive the political unrest in India just before the national election, with the arrest of Delhi’s chief minister and the freezing of the opposition Congress Party’s bank accounts? The right groups describe the situation as a crackdown on opposition, reaching a crisis point ahead of the national election.”
Responding to Fazal’s question, Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric remarked, “What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone’s rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair.”
Who is Mushfiqul Fazal (Ansarey)?
Mushfiqul Fazal (Ansarey) is a Bangladeshi journalist residing in the United States and holds various professional roles according to his Facebook profile. He serves as the executive editor at South Asia Perspectives, the executive director at Right to Freedom, and operates as the White House correspondent for Just News BD, among other positions.
However, controversies surround Fazal’s journalistic career, as reported by several media outlets. One such report, mentions how the Bangladeshi government took legal action against him under the Digital Security Act, alongside France-based activist Dr. Pinaki Bhattacharya.
A November 2022 report indicated that Fazal had been implicated by the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) department of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and was labelled as ‘absconding’ in the case. This development reveals Fazal’s status as a fugitive within his own country.
Furthermore, Fazal’s history includes operating a web portal banned by the Bangladeshi government in 2015, with allegations of disseminating disinformation about the government. He is identified as a supporter of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). During the period of his portal’s ban, Fazal held a position within the BNP’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
Fazal previously served as the assistant press secretary to the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia. Having relocated to the United States over 18 years ago.
The Bangladesh mission to the UN expressed objections to Fazal’s involvement in various programs as a “journalist” due to his “active” political engagements. Bijob Lal Deb, then-Press Secretary of the mission, remarked to BD News 24 that allowing active politicians’ media credentials would undermine the integrity of journalism. The mission conveyed its concerns to the UN regarding Fazal’s presence at UN and US State Department events. Fazal defended his dual roles, stating that there was no conflict between being a journalist and supporting a political party.
Fazal has a documented history of advocating for United States intervention in India’s internal affairs. Notably, on March 14, he queried Kelly Razzaouk, the White House NSC Senior Director for Democracy & Human Rights, regarding India’s democratic status. Razzaouk asserted that the US closely monitors elections worldwide, including those in India.
During a previous briefing, Fazal expressed bewilderment over the US’s purported lack of intervention in Bangladesh’s elections. He emphasized the Biden administration’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections globally, drawing comparisons with countries like Nigeria and Bulgaria.
Notably, Mushfiqul Fazal (Ansarey) also contributes as a columnist to the controversial portal The Wire, where three articles bear his name. In his initial piece published in February 2024, Fazal vehemently criticised the US following Sheikh Hasina’s re-election as Prime Minister. He derided the elections as “dummy,” alleging that the ruling party faced no genuine competition. Fazal further asserted the presence of “Indian” influence during the electoral process, highlighting unfavourable sentiments towards India among the populace.
Despite acknowledging the democratic regression in Bangladesh, he argued against attributing it solely to India, suggesting potential repercussions for Delhi based on the actions or inaction of the US or China in Dhaka.
In contrast, his most recent article on The Wire focused on the question he posed to the US State Department Representative regarding Arvind Kejriwal and the Indian National Congress. Unlike his previous piece, this article presented a straightforward report without excessive opinion or enthusiasm.
Multiple sources have raised allegations linking Fazal’s organisation, Right To Freedom, to funding from Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Reports from outlets like Somoy News and Weekly Blitz claim that Fazal actively promotes Jamaat on social media platforms. Additionally, a report from IPA News Pack suggests a connection between Hunter Biden’s purported influence against the Awami Party and BNP’s attempt to hire him as a lobbyist. The report indicates an agreement reached via William B. Milam, an influential figure of the Democratic Party and a retired diplomat who co-manages Right To Freedom with Fazal. Intriguingly, Fazal’s news portal, Just News BD, frequently features reports associated with Jamaat.
