Three BNP-affiliated groups march towards the Indian mission

Three pro-BNP organizations yesterday submitted a memorandum to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, calling for an end to misinformation about Bangladesh and ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi diplomatic missions in India. The memorandum also demanded an investigation into the recent attack on Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commission in Agartala and urged the protection of minority rights in both countries.  

A six-member delegation from Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal delivered the memorandum to an official of the Indian mission in Baridhara at 1:15 pm. The delegation included Jubo Dal President Monayem Munna, General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani, General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib, and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir.  

Speaking to reporters outside the Indian High Commission, Jubo Dal President Munna stated, “There can be no compromise on Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. We seek friendly and harmonious relations with our neighbors, not an aggressive approach.”  

Earlier in the day, thousands of activists from the three organizations began a protest march at 11:30 am from the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. The march, jointly organized by Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal, was stopped near Rampura Bridge at 12:35 pm, where police set up barricades and urged cooperation.  

The protest was held in response to the attack on the Assistant High Commission, the desecration of Bangladesh’s national flag in Kolkata, and alleged attempts to incite communal unrest. The two-page memorandum, addressed to Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma, expressed concerns over these incidents, emphasizing their potential to harm Bangladesh-India relations.  

The memorandum condemned the attack on the Assistant High Commission and the desecration of the national flag, calling them violations of diplomatic norms and international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. It urged immediate action against the perpetrators.  

The memorandum also criticized misinformation and sensationalized media coverage, particularly allegations related to minority issues in Bangladesh, as harmful to the spirit of friendship between the nations. It stated, “Such disinformation undermines journalistic integrity and fosters unnecessary tension. Constructive engagement and honest reporting are essential for trust-building.”  

Reaffirming the BNP’s commitment to minority rights in Bangladesh, the memorandum clarified that conflicts involving minorities typically stem from personal or land disputes rather than communal hostility. It highlighted the efforts of Muslim volunteers to protect Hindu communities and religious sites from opportunistic violence in Bangladesh.  

Additionally, the pro-BNP organizations called on Indian authorities to safeguard the security of minorities, including Muslims, in India and protect their religious establishments.  

The memorandum concluded by emphasizing the need for a stable and respectful partnership between the two nations, reaffirming BNP’s commitment to strong bilateral relations based on the UN Charter principle of sovereign equality.  

At a pre-march rally, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi accused India’s ruling party of engaging in actions that interfere with Bangladesh’s internal politics. He alleged, “Efforts to support Sheikh Hasina represent direct aggression under the guise of political science.” Rizvi also criticized Indian politicians and media for spreading what he described as false narratives about minority oppression in Bangladesh.