“It’s good that (Narendra) Modi is coming … but you’re coming at a time when one of the worst communal riots took place in Delhi in presence of the US president. Newspapers and magazines are raising allegation that your party was involved in the riot,” he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader further said, “So, you (Modi) need to think how much decent it will be for you to come to Bangladesh at this time and how much fruitful it will be.”

He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion meeting organised by Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) at the Jatiya Press Club on Monday marking the historic ‘Flag Hoisting Day’.

 On March 2, 1971, then Vice-President of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) ASM Abdur Rab hoisted the national flag of independent Bangladesh for the first time on behalf of Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad atop the DU Arts Faculty building.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has specially been invited to participate in the inaugural ceremony of ‘Mujib Borsho’ marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman later this month.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Sunday said the Indian Prime Minister is likely to arrive here on March 17 (morning) to attend the birth centenary celebrations of Bangabandhu.

Fakhrul criticised the government for what he said its failure to resolve the outstanding problems with India.

He alleged that the government is moving ahead to establish one-party Baksal rule by destroying all the democratic and state institutions and snatching people’s all the rights.

The BNP leader voiced anger that ASM Abur Rob is not given state honour as the government does not officially observe the ‘Flag Hoisting Day’. “This day is supposed to be observed by the state. A question has arisen about the involvement of the current regime with the country’s people and the country’s independence. No hope and aspiration of people has so far been filled by the government.”

He alleged that the government has destroyed the spirit of the Liberation War by ‘usurping’ power instead of taking people’s mandate.

Fakhrul alleged that Awami League never recognises the contributions of Ziaur Rahman, Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, MAG Osmani and others who played outstanding role in the country’s Liberation War.

He called upon all the pro-liberation and patriotic forces to get united to protect the country’s independence and defeat the current monstrous government even by sacrificing blood.

Speaking at the programme, Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) president Abdul Kader Siddiqui said it is not the right time to welcome Narendra Modi if he comes to Bangladesh.

“It’s regrettable for us to welcome Modi to Bangladesh after the monstrous behaviour India exposed through the communal rights,” he added.

Referring to Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen’s remark that Modi will be given the due honour during his visit to Dhaka, the KSJL president said, “The people of Bangladesh can’t show him honour this time. No-one will respect him now. We don’t know whether he’ll come here amid such a situation.”

He also said the birth contrary of Bangabandhu must be celebrated together with the country’s all people, not only by a party.

Abdur Rob said they formed the JSD following a conflict with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman over the question whether people or party would be the owners of the country. “But we didn’t have disrespect towards our leader (Mujib).”

He said those who now indulge in ‘vote robbery, gambling, corruption, plundering and casino businesses’ do not have any right to celebrate the ‘Mujib Year’.

Rob said the current government is taking the country towards destruction. “The nation will be cursed if this regime is not ousted. This fascist and authoritarian government cannot be forced to quit without a mass upsurge.”

Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the government is going to celebrate the Mujib Year without ASM Abdur Rob, Kader Siddiqui and Khaleda Zia. “They only need Modi to celebrate it. Is it Mujib Year or Modi year? No-one is needed except Modi to be present as the main speaker, as they (govt) think they won’t be able to hang onto power without Modi’s blessings.”

Manna called upon the political parties to take to the streets with a ‘greater unity’ against the hike in the prices of utility services and the growing prices of essentials.

Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr  Zafrullah Chowdhury said the government not only insulted the country’s people, but also Bangabandhu by inviting a communal person like Modi to his birth centenary celebrations. “Bangabandhu is now weeping in the grave.”

BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Gonoforum general secretary Dr Reza Kibria, Gana Sanghati Andolan's chief coordinator Zonayed Saki and Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) Vice President Nurul Haque Nur, among others, addressed the programme.

Later, the Ducsu VP also paid homage to Abdur Rob by presenting him a bouquet, marking the Flag Hoisting Day.