{{Short description|Bangladeshi politician and student activist (born 1998)}} {{for-multi|the Pakistani politician|Asif Mehmood|the Pakistani cricketers|Asif Mehmood (cricketer)|and|Asif Mahmood}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Asif Mahmud | native_name = {{nobold|আসিফ মাহমুদ}} | native_name_lang = bn | image = Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan Press Briefing on One Hundred Days of Interim Government 2024-11-17 (cropped).jpg | alt = Asif Mahmud Shajib Bhuiyan delivering keynote speech | image_size = | caption = Asif in 2024 | office = Spokesperson of [[National Citizen Party]] | term_start = 29 December 2025 | predecessor = Saleh Uddin Sifat | 1namedata = [[Nahid Islam]] | 1blankname = Convener | office1 = [[Minister of Youth and Sports (Bangladesh)|Adviser for Youth and Sports]] | president1 = [[Mohammed Shahabuddin]] | 1blankname1 = [[Chief Adviser (Bangladesh)|Chief Adviser]] | 1namedata1 = [[Muhammad Yunus]] | term_start1 = 9 August 2024 | term_end1 = 10 December 2025 | predecessor1 = [[Nazmul Hassan]] | successor1 = [[Asif Nazrul]] | office2 = [[Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (Bangladesh)|Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development, and Co-operatives]] | president2 = Mohammed Shahabuddin | 1blankname2 = [[Chief Adviser (Bangladesh)|Chief Adviser]] | 1namedata2 = [[Muhammad Yunus]] | term_start2 = 10 November 2024 | term_end2 = 10 December 2025 | predecessor2 = [[A. F. Hassan Ariff]] | successor2 = [[Adilur Rahman Khan]] | office3 = [[Ministry of Labour and Employment (Bangladesh)|Adviser for Labour and Employment]] | president3 = Mohammed Shahabuddin | 1blankname3 = [[Chief Adviser (Bangladesh)|Chief Adviser]] | 1namedata3 = [[Muhammad Yunus]] | term_start3 = 16 August 2024 | term_end3 = 10 November 2024 | predecessor3 = [[Md. Nazrul Islam Chowdhury]] | successor3 = [[M Sakhawat Hussain]] | birth_name = Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|7|14|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Muradnagar Upazila|Muradnagar]], Bangladesh | occupation = Politician | education = [[University of Dhaka]]<br />[[Adamjee Cantonment College]]<br /> [[North South University]] | party = [[National Citizen Party]] }}
'''Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan''' ({{langx|bn|আসিফ মাহমুদ সজীব ভুঁইয়া}}; born 14 July 1998) is a Bangladeshi [[politician]], who was an [[Adviser (Interim government of Bangladesh)|adviser]] to the [[Yunus ministry|Interim government of Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Nahid gets ICT Ministry, Asif to head Sports Ministry |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/761206 |work=[[Daily Sun (Bangladesh)]] |date=9 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=প্রতিবেদক |first=বিশেষ |date=2024-11-10 |title=উপদেষ্টা সেখ বশির বাণিজ্যে, ফারুকী সংস্কৃতিতে, স্থানীয় সরকারে এলেন সজীব ভূঁইয়া |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/w71zm7pane |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Prothomalo |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=হাওলাদার |first=আসিফ |date=2024-08-08 |title=উপদেষ্টা পরিষদে ছাত্র আন্দোলনের দুই সমন্বয়ক |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/si9kcr2j3g |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Prothomalo |language=bn}}</ref> He was a key coordinator of the [[Students Against Discrimination]], which led the [[July Uprising]]. He is also the former president of [[Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad]] at [[University of Dhaka]] unit.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/05/world/asia/bangladesh-protests-hasina-resigns.html | title=Facing Mass Protests, Bangladesh Leader Quits, Setting up Power Struggle | work=The New York Times | last1=Hasnat | first1=Saif | last2=Walid | first2=Shayeza | last3=Das | first3=Anupreeta | date=5 August 2024 }}</ref> Following his resignation from the interim government, he joined the [[National Citizen Party]], where he serves as the party’s spokesperson.<ref>{{cite news |title=Asif Mahmud joins National Citizen Party as spokesperson |publisher=[[bdnews24.com]] |date=29 December 2025 |url= https://bdnews24.com/politics/21a4f8b14464}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Asif Mahmud was born on 14 July 1998 to a [[Bengalis|Bengali]] family of [[Muslim]] [[Bhuiyan]]s in the village of Aqubpur in [[Muradnagar Upazila|Muradnagar]], [[Comilla District]]. He is the son of Mohammad Billal Hossain Bhuiyan and Rukhsana Begum. Mahmud studied at Nakhalpara Hossain Ali High School in [[Dhaka]] and completed his [[Secondary education in Bangladesh|secondary education]] there.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=Meet the 2 students who are now advisers to Bangladesh's interim govt |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/meet-2-students-who-are-now-advisors-bangladesh-interim-govt-912496 |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=The Business Standard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815072758/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/meet-2-students-who-are-now-advisors-bangladesh-interim-govt-912496 |archive-date=2024-08-15 |language=en}}</ref> Afterwards, he studied at [[Adamjee Cantonment College]], where he served as the Cadet Sergeant of the college's [[Bangladesh National Cadet Corps|BNCC]] Club. He was a student of the 2017–18 academic session in the Department of Linguistics at the [[University of Dhaka]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=কোটাসংস্কার আন্দোলনের সমন্বয়ক আসিফের বাবা মর্গে ছেলের লাশ খুঁজে বেড়াচ্ছেন |url=https://www.dailynayadiganta.com/last-page/850594/-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8|access-date=2024-08-08 |website=[[Daily Naya Diganta]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806084417/https://www.dailynayadiganta.com/last-page/850594/-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8 |archive-date=6 August 2024 |language=bn}}</ref> He is currently studying for a [[Master's degree]] at the [[North South University]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Asif Mahmud passes masters admission test at NSU |url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/education/asif-mahmud-passes-masters-admission-test-at-nsu |work=The Financial Express |date=30 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Adviser Asif Mahmud takes part in masters admission test at North South University |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/adviser-asif-mahmud-takes-part-masters-admission-test-north-south-university-1125891 |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=[[The Business Standard]] |date=25 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
== Career == Asif Mahmud was one of the coordinators of the [[Students Against Discrimination]] opposing quotas in government jobs, which evolved into a campaign to remove Hasina from power.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mashal |first1=Mujib |title=She Thought Her Grip Was Unbreakable. Bangladeshis Would Prove Otherwise. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/05/world/asia/bangladesh-protest-sheikh-hasina.html |work=The New York Times |date=5 August 2024}}</ref> He along with [[Nahid Islam]] and others gained national recognition in mid-July 2024 when he and several other Dhaka University students were detained by police<ref>{{cite news |last1=Report |first1=Star Digital |title=3 quota protest organisers 'picked up' from hospital |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/rights/news/3-quota-protest-organisers-picked-hospital-3662756 |work=The Daily Star |date=26 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> as the protests became violent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Quota protest coordinators Asif, Nahid, Baker 'taken into DB custody for security reasons' |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/quota-protest-coordinators-asif-nahid-baker-allegedly-picked-db-men-hospital-db-denies |work=[[The Business Standard]] |date=26 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
In the aftermath, on August 5, [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh]] [[Sheikh Hasina]] resigned and fled the country.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hasnat |first1=Saif |last2=Mashal |first2=Mujib |last3=Bigg |first3=Matthew Mpoke |title=Bangladesh's Leader Resigns and Flees Country After Protests |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/08/05/world/bangladesh-protests |work=The New York Times |date=5 August 2024}}</ref> Nahid stated that their goals weren't fully met, and following Hasina's resignation, the group aimed to "abolish fascist systems forever".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Report |first1=Star |title=One demand now |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/one-demand-now-3668981 |work=The Daily Star |date=4 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Asif Mahmud and his organisation called Nobel Laureate [[Muhammad Yunus]] to lead an interim government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two student coordinators take oath as advisors |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/rlacb458dn |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |date=9 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-unrest-know-whos-who-in-interim-government/article68505107.ece | title=Bangladesh Crisis: Bangladesh unrest: Know who's who in Muhammad Yunus-led interim government | newspaper=The Hindu }}</ref>
He began his career when he, along with another coordinator of the [[Students Against Discrimination]], [[Nahid Islam]], was appointed as an adviser in the [[Yunus ministry|Interim government of Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Two student leaders to be advisors of interim government |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/s1gw90p3ut |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |date=8 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In this capacity, he took on dual responsibilities, serving as the Adviser for [[Ministry of Youth and Sports (Bangladesh)|Youth and Sports]] and overseeing the [[Ministry of Labour and Employment (Bangladesh)|Labour and Employment]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Nahid gets ICT Ministry, Asif to head Sports Ministry |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/english/politics/news/bd/153028.details |work=[[banglanews24.com]] |date=9 August 2024 |language=bn}}</ref> He was subsequently transferred from the Labour and Employment Ministry to the [[Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives|Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives]] on 10 November 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=C |first=S |date=2024-11-11 |title=3 surprise picks sworn in as advisers |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/3-surprise-picks-sworn-advisers-3749716 |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref>
== Political career == Asif Mahmud began his political involvement as a student activist and became a key coordinator of the [[Students Against Discrimination]], a movement that led the [[July Uprising]] in Bangladesh. During the [[Interim government of Muhammad Yunus|interim government]] period, he served as an [[Adviser (Bangladesh)|adviser]] with responsibilities including youth and sports, labour and employment, and local government portfolios.
In early December 2025, he submitted his wealth statement and cancelled his diplomatic passport in preparation for participation in national politics following his resignation from the interim government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Asif Mahmud submits wealth statement |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/politics/845247/Asif-Mahmud-submits-wealth-statement |publisher=Daily Sun |date=10 Dec 2025}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, he resigned from his advisory position on 10 December 2025, ending his tenure in the interim administration.<ref>{{cite news |title=পদত্যাগ করেছেন উপদেষ্টা আসিফ মাহমুদ ও মাহফুজ আলম |url=https://www.banglatelegraph.com/article/167403 |publisher=Bangla Telegraph |date=10 Dec 2025}}</ref>
On 29 December 2025, he joined the [[National Citizen Party]] and was appointed its spokesperson as well as chief of the party’s election steering committee, choosing not to contest the [[2026 Bangladeshi general election|upcoming general election]] himself.<ref>{{cite news |title=Asif Mahmud joins NCP, not contesting polls |url=https://www.bssnews.net/news/346034 |publisher=BSS News |date=29 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Former advisor Asif Mahmud joins NCP as spokesperson, to skip elections |url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/21a4f8b14464 |publisher=bdnews24.com |date=29 Dec 2025}}</ref>
==Controversies== ===Contractor Licence issued to father=== In March 2025, Billal Hossain, father of Asif Mahmud, received a contractor license from the [[Local Government Engineering Department]] (LGED) in [[Comilla]]. Asif Mahmud initially denied knowledge of the license but later confirmed its authenticity, stating it was obtained without his consent and that no work had been undertaken using it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asif Mahmud apologizes for his father's mistake |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/379525/asif-mahmud-apologizes-for-his-father-s-mistake |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Asif Mahmud apologises over father's contractor licence |url=https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/263123/asif-mahmud-apologises-over-fathers-contractor-licence |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=www.newagebd.net |language=en}}</ref> On April 24, 2025, the LGED Comilla district office officially cancelled the contractor license issued to Billal Hossain, citing procedural concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adviser Asif's father's contractor license cancelled |url=https://www.observerbd.com/news/522501 |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=The Daily Observer}}</ref>
=== Firearm magazine at airport === In June 2025, during a security check at Shahjalal International Airport, a firearm magazine was found in the hand luggage of Asif Mahmud. He was traveling to attend the ''OIC Youth Capital International'' program in Marrakech, Morocco. This caused controversy. Later, he stated on Facebook that the magazine had remained in his bag by mistake.<ref>{{cite web |title=আসিফ মাহমুদের হাতব্যাগে গুলির ম্যাগাজিন, আলোচনায় কয়েকটি প্রশ্ন |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cy8ggnglv10o |website=BBC Bangla |date=2025-06-30 |access-date=2025-08-23 |language=bn}}</ref> He claimed that due to his involvement in political activities, he had been the target of multiple attacks, and that the licensed firearm was for his personal security. He further stated that due to shortcomings in state security, he legally carries a weapon to protect himself and his family.<ref>{{cite web |title=ভুলবশত একটি ম্যাগাজিন ব্যাগে ছিল: উপদেষ্টা আসিফ মাহমুদ |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/politics/ka2n1t2ucl |website=Prothom Alo |date=2025-06-29 |access-date=2025-08-23 |language=bn}}</ref>
Later Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Advisor, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury sarcastically told reporters after a core committee meeting on law and order at the Secretariat, "It was a magazine, not an AK-47." He also said that an investigation is underway to determine how the magazine was not detected during the airport’s initial screening. According to Bangladesh’s firearms laws, officials holding positions equivalent to a minister are allowed to use firearms without age restrictions.<ref>{{cite web |title=উপদেষ্টা আসিফ মাহমুদের অস্ত্র ও লাইসেন্স নিয়ে বিতর্ক |url=https://www.dw.com/bn/%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AB-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B8-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95/a-73096543 |website=Deutsche Welle |access-date=2025-08-23 |language=bn}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Yunus ministry]]
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Wikiquote-inline}} * {{commons-inline}} {{Quota reform movement in Bangladesh}}
[[Category:People from Muradnagar Upazila]] [[Category:Adamjee Cantonment College alumni]] [[Category:University of Dhaka alumni]] [[Category:Coordinators of Students Against Discrimination]] [[Category:1998 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Yunus interim government advisors]] [[Category:Bangladeshi activists]] [[Category:Bangladeshi anti-fascists]] [[Category:National Citizen Party politicians]] [[Category:Politicians from Chittagong Division]]