The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Saturday urged the neighbouring country to respect Bangladesh鈥檚 independence and sovereignty.
鈥楯ust as we respect India鈥檚 sovereignty, India should also respect our freedom and sovereignty,鈥� the party鈥檚 senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi gave the call while talking to reporters after placing a wreath at party founder Ziaur Rahman鈥檚 grave in the capital marking the 21st founding anniversary of Nurses Association of Bangladesh.
Voicing concern over Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh鈥檚 recent remarks he made at a conference of the commanders of the Indian forces in which he asked them to analyse the Russsia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars along with present Bangladesh situation and get prepared for the 鈥榰nexpected鈥�, Rizvi reminded India that the people of Bangladesh would not accept it well if the country maintained contact exclusively with Sheikh Hasina and her party, adopting a one-sided approach.
鈥榃hat the Indian defence minister said after a meeting with military commanders was alarming. There are questions in the public mind about whether his comments are intended as provocation,鈥� Rizvi stated.
He questioned whether the Indian minister鈥檚 remarks were part of India鈥檚 effort to comfort Sheikh Hasina and assist her in regaining her dominion. 鈥業f not, then why is the defence minister speaking in this manner?鈥�
Rajnath met with the commanders of the Indian forces on Friday.
Rizvi said that the people of Bangladesh were now moving freely after driving out the 鈥榤onster鈥� Sheikh Hasina from the country.
鈥楾he fear of arrest or enforced disappearance has disappeared. People are now roaming freely and sleeping peacefully. Don鈥檛 you [India] appreciate this? Don鈥檛 the Indian policymakers wish for the return of democracy in Bangladesh, for people to live in peace, and live in a sovereign country?鈥� he asked.
Rizvi also questioned whether India was unable to accept the reality that Sheikh Hasina had been ousted from Bangladesh.
鈥業f that is the case, it suggests that for you, the people of Bangladesh and their sovereignty are not truly secure. It appears that only one person, Sheikh Hasina, is deemed safe in your view. This is very unfortunate,鈥� he added.
Despite having many unresolved issues, he said Bangladesh respects India鈥檚 sovereignty.
Rizvi noted that the people of Bangladesh on August 5 stood in solidarity and took to the streets, risking their lives to drive out Sheikh Hasina, just as they had previously driven out the British and ousted the Pakistanis in 1971.
鈥楯ust as the people of Bangladesh can endure oppression for a long time, they also know how to unite and show resolve against foreign invaders. India must remember that Bangladesh is a nation of heroes,鈥� he said.
Hasina killed over a thousand people and fled to India when no other option was left to her, as people marched to her residence, Ganabhaban, defying the curfew, Rizvi said.
