National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday reaffirmed that he holds only one nationality and that is Bangladeshi citizenship.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, Dr Rahman clarified that his overseas stay does not imply foreign citizenship.
“Before arriving here, I lived in the USA with my family. But I do not have any American passport,” he said, adding that he does not have the citizenship of any other country except Bangladesh.
Dr Rahman said if he is labeled as a foreign citizen just because he lived in America then tomorrow something can be said regarding BNP's acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
"If you throw a stone at me, it might end up hitting someone else,” he said, urging them (who raised questions about his citizenship) to make comments judiciously.
At one stage he got emotional and said, “Please don’t label me with something that I really do not deserve. If you can, prove it in court.”
Dr Rahman said he holds some rights as a citizen of this country and it would be very unfortunate if they do not respect the rights that he holds.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir were present at the briefing.
No talks on ‘corridor’: Dr Khalilur Rahman
On Sunday, Khalilur Rahman said he remains prepared to exercise his rights as a Bangladeshi citizen to the fullest extent.
"I remain prepared to exercise my rights as a Bangladeshi citizen to the fullest extent," the National Security Adviser told UNB when his attention was drawn to a recent allegation by BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed that Dr Rahman is a foreign citizen.
Dr Rahman also said the burden of proof of the allegation rests on the individual who made it and, if necessary, it would have to be proven before a court of law.
BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday claimed that the National Security Adviser is a foreign citizen.
“Has the government lost all sense?” he questioned. “How can the Bangladesh Army submit security-related reports to a foreign citizen? He wants to turn Bangladesh into a battlefield under the pretext of a humanitarian corridor for the Rohingyas. This national security adviser must be removed.”