Bangladesh Warns India: Stop Sheikh Hasina’s Political Actions or Risk Friendship
Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has issued a clear warning to India. He said India must rethink its friendly relations if it allows former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to do political work from its land. Sheikh Hasina is currently staying in India. She fled Bangladesh during a mass uprising.
Minister Ahmed spoke on Saturday at Dhaka University. The event marked the second anniversary of the July mass uprising. “You cannot support Sheikh Hasina’s politics and expect friendly ties with Bangladesh,” the minister stated. “These two goals are not possible together. I hope Indian authorities will understand this.”
The Dhaka University White Panel and the University Teachers’ Association of Bangladesh (UTAB) organized this discussion. Minister Ahmed asked India not to let Sheikh Hasina make statements against Bangladesh. He also urged India not to support any activities against Bangladesh. He stressed that Bangladesh wants friendly relations with India. These ties should be based on mutual respect.
Salahuddin Ahmed said the July mass uprising was not a sudden event. He explained it came after 17 years of political movements and sacrifices. He advised leaders of new political parties to value experience. He said it was unrealistic to credit only a 36-day movement for all achievements.
The Home Minister also warned the BNP’s student wing. He asked them to avoid conspiracies and provocations. He said some students have already faced traps that led to violence. He urged everyone to stay patient. “Answer abuse with democratic protest,” he said. “No one should ever get involved in violence.”
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also spoke at the event. He talked about the long movement by students and the public against past rule. He called for changes in institutions and the constitution. Rizvi said no single group could claim full credit for the July mass uprising. He noted that Tarique Rahman guided the movement from London.
Rizvi claimed 142 student activists died during the July movement. He also mentioned a recent documentary. Rizvi noted this documentary did not name former president Ziaur Rahman as the declarer of independence. He called this omission “significant and mysterious.”
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor ABM Obaidul Islam spoke about the university during the previous government. He said it faced strong authoritarian control. Freedom of thought was restricted, and teachers were harassed.
Shafiul Alam, whose son was killed in the uprising, made an emotional plea. He asked political groups not to claim the uprising’s legacy as their “family property.” He urged everyone to ensure the students’ sacrifices were not wasted.
