POBNEWS24, Dhaka Aug 26, 2024 : Jatiya Party (JPA) Chairman Ghulam Mohammad Quader (GM Quader) has rejected the comments of those who are blaming India for the flood situation in Bangladesh as a ‘false statement’. New Delhi is being wrongly blamed for natural calamities by exploiting existing anti-India sentiments. At the same time, GM Quader said that he should bring the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh and prosecute her.
GM Quader was the leader of the opposition in the recently defunct National Parliament of Bangladesh. The student movement demanding reform of the controversial quota system in government jobs resulted in heavy loss of life. At one point it turned into an anti-government movement. In the face of the movement, Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister and fled the country to India. The National Parliament was dissolved the next day on August 6.
GM Quader insisted that Sheikh Hasina should be extradited from India. All the crimes committed by Sheikh Hasina during her regime and through her government should be tried in the courts of Bangladesh.
In an interview given to the Indian news agency PTI, the former minister of Bangladesh said that when the people of both countries want good relations, it is important to stop the superior behavior of one country. Instead, it is important to treat each other as equal partners.
Regarding the ‘Bharat Khedao’ campaign in Bangladesh, GM Quader said that this hatred is not against India. Rather, this hatred is against India’s policy of unquestioning support for a particular political party (Awami League) and its leader (Sheikh Hasina) in Bangladesh, despite many allegations of misrule and the introduction of an autocratic regime.
The 76-year-old politician said that it is not right to blame India for the floods in Bangladesh. This is a wrong interpretation. How can you blame someone for a flood or any natural disaster? It is normal for water to flow in low-lying areas. The problem we are facing is water scarcity from India. But if the water is not released during the rainy season, the embankments located there may break. Can cause a very large scale disaster.
GM Quader said, “It would have been better if there had been an advance warning from India, so that we would have had time to prepare.”
GM Quader made such comments in the context of various reports published from Dhaka blaming India for the floods in Bangladesh.
Flooding occurs due to monsoon rains in delta region Bangladesh and upstream Indian region. Several people died as a result. About 3 million people have been affected in Bangladesh. This has created a major administrative challenge for the newly formed interim government amid a political landscape in Bangladesh.
On Thursday, India claimed that the current flood situation in some parts of Bangladesh was caused by the opening of Gomti river dam in Tripura as false reports.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi that the flooding of common rivers in the two countries is a common problem for both countries, affecting the people of both countries. Both countries need close mutual cooperation to solve this problem.
GM Quader said that those who do not understand the situation and are using the current anti-India sentiment are trying to mislead people. Naturally, water will flow downwards from a height. If excess water is not released from the dams, the dams may break, causing major disasters.
More than 200 rivers flow through Bangladesh. There are 54 common rivers between Bangladesh and India.
Responding to a question about growing anti-India sentiment in the country despite India being a ‘time-tested friend’ of Bangladesh, GM Quader said anti-India sentiment is not against the people of India but against the policy makers. The anger is not against the Indian people, there are still people here who want good relations between people.
But the problem, says GM Quader, is that India supported the Awami League despite all its flaws, misrule, lack of fair elections and corruption, so much so that the Indian establishment is now seen as a supporter of the Awami League. And that’s why people are angry. That is why people see India as Bangladesh’s enemy.
The JPA chairman said, “Sheikh Hasina’s decision to flee to India has worsened the situation.” I think Sheikh Hasina should be extradited to Bangladesh. He should be judged here. India must hand him over to the Bangladesh government.’
Bangladesh’s interim government has revoked the diplomatic passports of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, including members of her former cabinet.
Talking about the future of India-Bangladesh bilateral relations, GM Quader said that both countries need each other. After the fall of the Awami League government, a new and positive approach must be adopted.
JAPA Chairman said, Awami League is now past. We have to look ahead. Both countries should sit down. The way to develop bilateral relations should be reconsidered. However, both should be treated as equals in terms of relations between the two countries. And India should avoid any kind of bigoted attitude. One should not behave like a supreme lord.’
Regarding the current situation in Bangladesh, GM Quader said that the people of the country want to return to the democratic process as soon as possible.
The JPA chairman said, ‘Right now, after the people’s uprising, the common people want a proper democratic structure. Governments have been formed by popular vote for decades, but those governments have never worked for the people.
GM Quader said, “I think the application he (Chief Adviser) has made, the statement he has made, is very positive.” And these reforms should happen as soon as possible.”
Dr. The interim government led by Yunus is trying to stabilize the country. Reforms in various sectors are their top priority.
