Farakka is a symbol of resistance for the people of Bangladesh: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that Farakka is now a symbol of resistance for the people of Bangladesh. 

He said that if a fair share of the Ganges or Padma water is not ensured, the people of the country, biodiversity and environment will face serious harm.

He made the statements as the chief guest at a discussion organised on the occasion of the historic Farakka Long March Day at the Engineers Institution Bangladesh in the capital on Saturday.

Mirza Fakhrul said that Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani struggled for the rights of the common people throughout his life. He never bowed down to power. Through the Farakka Long March, he organised the people of the country and built resistance against injustice. 

He said that the construction of the Farakka Dam has threatened the livelihoods, agriculture, environment and biodiversity of about one crore people of the country. It was then that Maulana Bhashani realised the issue and started the movement. Later, martyred President Ziaur Rahman took the issue to the international arena along with the people and took the initiative to implement an effective agreement.

The BNP Secretary General said that the country's losses started in 1973 after the then Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman allowed the Farakka project to be launched. 

Later, agreements were made at various times, but there was no permanent solution.

He claimed that the current agreement is valid until December 2026. After that, if a new agreement is to be made, it must be long-term and protect the interests of the people.

Fakhrul said that if a fair share of water is not ensured, alternative initiatives will have to be taken to protect the interests of the country. At this time, he praised the government's initiative to build the Ganga Barrage and said that a bold decision has been taken in the national interest.

Accusing anti-government propaganda, Mirza Fakhrul said that a group is conspiring to destabilise the government elected by the people's votes. 

He urged people who believe in the country's independence and democracy to be vigilant in this regard.

Calling on India, the BNP Secretary General said that a solution must be reached immediately through negotiations regarding the Farakka Agreement as per the expectations of the people of Bangladesh. Otherwise, the good relations between the two countries may be damaged.

The programme was chaired by the Prime Minister's Political Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and hosted by BNP Publicity Secretary and State Minister for Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moin Khan MP, BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, BNP Chairman's Adviser Ataur Rahman Dhali, among others, were present as special guests.