Agartala: Leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) affiliated bodies, Juba Dal and Chatra Dal, on Wednesday emphasized their desire for a friendly nation in their neighborhood, urging the Indian government to act as a good neighbor rather than as a master.
At a public meeting marking the conclusion of the long march to Akhaura, which protested the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, they reiterated their demand for legal proceedings against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of running a fascist regime for 15 years.
Abdul Monayem Munna, President of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Jubodal, stated, “We want a friendly nation in our neighborhood. My humble request to the Government of India is: Please act like a good friend but don’t try to be our master. BNP will make no compromise when it comes to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and freedom. For us, the country comes first.”
Munna further criticized Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, stating, “For the last fifteen years, Sheikh Hasina ran a fascist rule in Bangladesh. Between July and August, more than 2,000 youth attained martyrdom. They should get justice. We urge the interim government to initiate the process of extraditing Sheikh Hasina from India and bring her to trial.”
He also called for the extradition of Awami League leaders accused of various crimes in Bangladesh, urging that they be held accountable under the law.
Another leader from the BNP affiliate body appealed to the Government of India to ensure equal treatment of Bangladeshis. He emphasized, “A friendship between two nations is successful when the relationship between the people of both countries is based on mutual respect. The governments should also maintain the same policy. A sovereign nation shouldn’t protect the interests of a particular political party of a neighboring country. After Sheikh Hasina left, a section of Indian media has been spreading baseless stories about atrocities against minorities. I want to remind everyone that communal harmony is a key feature of Bangladesh that should not be tarnished.”
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