Adviser Asif Mahmud expressed dismay over the treatment of fellow adviser Mahfuz Alam. “Despite being burdened with multiple official responsibilities, we always try to address student concerns and mediate protests,” he wrote. Although the incident at Suhrawardy Udyan wasn’t within his official scope, he took the initiative out of a sense of responsibility. “Mahfuz Bhai could have easily said, ‘This isn’t my ministry’s matter’ and stepped away—but he didn’t,” Asif added. Mahfuz Alam was reportedly harassed by protestors while trying to negotiate with students.