Mahfuj Alam’s Facebook posts are far from ordinary. Much like abstract art, they offer layers of meaning that invite viewers or readers to interpret them in various ways.

Since Mahfuj was labeled as the mastermind behind the “meticulously crafted” July revolution by none other than Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on the global stage, the 27-year-old with disheveled hair and a determined gaze has become a focal point of attention.

Though Mahfuj doesn’t post frequently, any of his Facebook statuses or public appearances quickly spark media buzz and stir up social media.

Similar to his elusive “mastermind” role—shrouded in mystery—his posts, filled with rhetoric and allusions, remain largely unexplained.

Even his current role confuses many. Initially appointed as Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor with the rank of full secretary, Mahfuj was later promoted to the position of advisor, equivalent to a cabinet minister.

However, he was never assigned a specific ministry and still works out of the Chief Advisor’s office. This has fueled speculation about his far-reaching influence behind the scenes.

His every move is under intense scrutiny—not only from local media but also from neighboring countries, where rumors have swirled about his alleged links to banned Islamist groups. Fact-checking organizations have firmly debunked these allegations, but they continue to linger.

So, when Mahfuj posted a status on his verified Facebook account on Monday, calling for the “expansion” of Bangladesh’s geographic boundaries to achieve the nation’s “true freedom,” it set off a firestorm, particularly on social media.

He deleted the post within hours, but by then, screenshots had already gone viral—not only on social media but also in mainstream media, including across the border.

TV channels like WION even ran stories with the headline: “Yunus' key adviser shares Bangladesh map including India’s eastern territories; later deletes post.”

In Bangladesh, social media commentators sharply criticized Mahfuj for his “careless” post, especially given his high-ranking position. Some even called for his resignation, labeling him “incompetent” and “inexperienced.”

Mahfuj, however, stayed silent after the incident, and on Tuesday, he traveled to Cairo with Dr. Yunus to attend the D-8 conference.

A controversial but a “necessary” post

Undoubtedly, Mahfuj's Facebook post has stirred controversy, and the Indian media's reaction—scrutinizing and vilifying him—is understandable, given the sensitive nature of the content.

The local social media critics, who have been condemning Mahfuj for his “irresponsibility,” may also have a point in expressing their frustrations.

The interim government has provided ample reasons for discontent, and Mahfuj’s “cryptic” post likely offered a convenient target. Given that Dr. Asif Nazrul has recently become the scapegoat of many critiques, Mahfuj’s controversial status has served as a new outlet for pent-up frustration.

However, amid the uproar, one key point seems overlooked. In a roundabout and rhetorical way, Mahfuj has done something that Indian politics and media have been promoting for years, especially with the rise of the ultra-right Hindutva ideology in India.

We must not forget that the new Indian Parliament last year unveiled a mural depicting a map of an ancient Indian civilization that includes what is now Pakistan to the north and Bangladesh and Nepal to the east.

For some politicians in India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), this map appears to symbolize a vision for the future—an “Akhand Bharat” (Undivided India) that seeks to incorporate Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

Former BJP Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy has repeatedly argued that Bangladesh should have been invaded if it could not ensure the "security of minority Hindus."

Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has regularly made bellicose remarks advocating for the invasion of Bangladesh.

Even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a December 16 social media post about India’s “Vijay Dibash” (Victory Day), completely bypassed the issue of Bangladesh's Liberation War.

Criticizing Mahfuj’s status by local pundits seems somewhat contradictory, especially considering these same commentators often advocate for Bangladesh to stand up to India and criticize the previous Awami administration for capitulating to Indian rhetoric.

Yes, Bangladesh likely doesn’t want a genuinely hostile Indian government or any major conflict with India.

However, in the realm of rhetoric and bold slogans, this is an area where Bangladesh can certainly engage—especially now, under an interim administration that has been in power for an extended period following the fall of an autocratic regime that enjoyed unwavering Indian support.

And Mahfuj Alam, with the aura of mystery that surrounds him, may be the ideal figure for this role. Why?

Because since his rise to power, Mahfuj has been “perceived” as someone playing a game on a completely different level, always several steps ahead of the rest of us. His every ambiguous move and unpredictable shift seems carefully calculated, part of a grand and intricate plan.

Alternatively, he is “viewed” by a lot as someone who is simply a big-talking huckster, improvising and adapting to circumstances as they arise, using whatever tools he has at his disposal and making it up as he goes.

Or perhaps, in this fractured world where truths seem increasingly divided, the most sobering possibility is that the distinction between the two options may no longer matter at all--which of course works to his advantage.

Regardless, in this “war of rhetoric” with India, Mahfuj is the one to lead it.

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Harun Ur Rashid is a writer and commentator