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Published : 17 Feb 2025, 09:33 PM
BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called on India to promptly ensure a fair share of Teesta River water if it wants to be friends with the Bangladeshi people.
Addressing Delhi, he said: “If you seek friendship with the people of Bangladesh, then immediately ensure a fair share of Teesta water.
“Stop border killings and shootings. We want to see India as a friend, but that friendship must be based on respect and understanding.”
The BNP secretary general also called on the interim government to pressure India to demand a fair share of Teesta River water.
He said, “You claim to be a neutral government. You must put pressure on India and demand a fair share of our water.”
Fakhrul made these remarks on Monday during the inauguration of a 48-hour sit-in programme under the banner of the “Teesta River Protection Movement” near the Teesta Railway Bridge in Lalmonirhat.
The protest demanded the implementation of the Teesta River water-sharing treaty.
Criticising the Awami League's politics on the Teesta River, he said: "During the previous government’s tenure, it seemed that the Teesta agreement would be reached.
“They have sold Bangladesh for the last 15 years, but they failed to bring even a drop of Teesta River water.
“Nothing can be achieved without a struggle. We must fight for our rights. The people living along the Teesta River should not suffer any longer.
"Not only the Teesta, they (India) have dammed 54 rivers upstream of Bangladesh.
“They unilaterally take water from these rivers to generate electricity, and our people cannot grow crops due to lack of water. Fishermen cannot catch fish."
He also demanded early elections from the interim government.
The BNP leader said: "Return power to the people by holding impartial elections immediately.
“If the government does not return the people's voting rights, it will be achieved through a tough movement.
“We have fought against the fascist Hasina for 15 years. Hasina has fled to India during the successful 36-day struggle of our sons."
BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, and Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mustafa Zaman Haider also spoke at the programme chaired jointly by the chief coordinator of the “Teesta River Protection Movement” and BNP's Rangpur Divisional Organizing Secretary Principal Asadul Habib Dulu.
As part of the programme, rallies, marches, and cultural performances are being held at 11 locations across Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha.
Protesters have also set up tents along the riverbanks to spend the night.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to address the protesters virtually on Feb 18.
