Dhaka, Sep 13 (V7N) - After more than a decade abroad, journalist Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, a vocal critic of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, was warmly welcomed back to Bangladesh at a reception held in his honor at the Jatiya Press Club on Friday. Ansarey, who spent years in exile due to his outspoken stance against the government, was deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support from a diverse gathering of political leaders, journalists, human rights activists, and ordinary citizens.
 
The reception, organized by the Jatiya Press Club in collaboration with BFUJ, DUJ, Dhaka Reporters' Unity, and the Journalists' Cooperative Society Limited, saw Mushfiq greeted with flowers and emotional embraces as he returned to his homeland after a long absence. Expressing his gratitude, Mushfiq paid tribute to those who remained in the country, fighting against enforced disappearances, killings, and government oppression under Sheikh Hasina’s rule.
 
“These individuals, who stood up against Hasina's fascist regime, are the true national heroes,” said Mushfiq, referring to them as "Bir Shreshtho" — the highest honor given to heroes in Bangladesh. He also warned that despite recent victories, vigilance is necessary to prevent a return to autocratic rule, cautioning against ongoing conspiracies from neighboring countries.
 
During the event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir highlighted the importance of maintaining unity to safeguard the hard-fought gains of the student-led movement that recently brought about change. Fakhrul described Ansarey as a symbol of resistance against oppression, saying, "Mushfiq will remain a hero for those who fought for democracy both at home and abroad."
 
Mushfiq, who had fled Bangladesh in January 2013 after his critical reporting on human rights abuses, electoral fraud, and authoritarian governance, has continued his work in the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., he currently serves as a White House and UN correspondent for JustNewsBD and leads human rights organization Right to Freedom, while also contributing as the executive editor of South Asia Perspectives.
 
The event, which drew several hundred attendees, featured remarks from high-profile figures such as Jahangirnagar University Vice Chancellor Kamrul Ahsan, rights activist Noor Khan Liton, and poet Uddin Stalin, among others. The gathering underscored the widespread support for press freedom and democratic governance in Bangladesh.
 
Mushfiq’s career spans various media roles, including serving as Assistant Press Secretary to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and positions at The Daily Ittefaq and UNB. His return marks a poignant moment in his decades-long struggle for press freedom and human rights.
 
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