Defence pact with India may ruin Bangladesh’s freedom, says Fakhrul

The proposed defence treaty with India may jeopardise Bangladesh's future as a free country, BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit India for three days beginning Apr 7.

“We are already deprived of our rights, our freedom of expression and political and economic rights. Now, what we call ‘geographical freedom’ will also be at stake (if Bangladesh and India agree to a defence deal),” BNP secretary general told a party meeting on Thursday.

Alluding to Hasina’s upcoming India tour, he said: “People are in dark over the visit. They do not know what deals she would be signing during the visit.”

“We, who have fought for the nation’s independence, are anxious over speculations in newspapers,” Fakhrul said.

The party organised the meeting to prepare for bringing out a rally on the National Independence Day on Mar 26.

Fakhrul urged Hasina to solve various pending issues over sharing of river waters between India and Bangladesh.

“Our main problem with India lies in river water sharing. It needs to be solved. The Teesta deal is still due.”

Fakhrul came down hard on the ruling party chief for “not making any move to implement the Ganges water sharing treaty and pacts over 54 other rivers.”

He further said: “Our water resource minister says that he is sceptical over the Teesta deal. Then which deal would be signed?”

BNP will bring out a peaceful rally from Naya Paltan at 2pm on Mar 26, Fakhrul said convening everyone to participate.