Ganatantra Mancha: India does not act friendly towards Bangladesh

Ganatantra Mancha leaders said on Friday that Bangladesh wants to maintain a friendship with India, but India does not act friendly towards its neighbour.

The speakers said this during a protest rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said: "Under the guise of security, India does not allow democracy to flourish in Bangladesh. For 15 years, it has been trying to keep the government in power through coercion."

"The government has now made a satellite agreement with India. India's satellites can now monitor any location in Bangladesh. Our country's security is in the hands of India. During this trip to India, Sheikh Hasina completely abandoned all our country’s conditions. We want to maintain friendship with India, but India does not act friendly towards us."

Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque said the Awami League and the current government are now actually representing Indian interests. As a result, the people of Bangladesh will not accept the agreements this government has made. Nothing is safe with this government anymore. Independence, sovereignty, national security—everything is under threat. 

“We cannot protect our present or future unless we dismiss this government,” he said.

Ganosamhati Andolon Coordinator Zonayed Saki said: "If there was an elected government in this country, they would not keep us dry in the dry season only to flood us later, shoot our citizens at the border every day, and create all sorts of non-tariff barriers in trade while talking about friendship with Bangladesh. Our government only knows how to preserve its seat of power. There is no government in the country that speaks for Bangladesh.

“We have a vassal government here. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has come back with permission from India for her trip to China, such is the state of Bangladesh 53 years after the liberation war. Those in power with the grace of a foreign master will operate this way."

He expressed support for ongoing student-teacher movements, saying: "We clearly support the students' movement. We support the teachers’ movement. We are with every movement of the people of this country. Together, we will unite all opposition parties and through protest, we will bring you (the government) down from power."

Source: BSS