Ganatantra Mancha, an alliance of several opposition parties, on Thursday termed “uneven” and "anti-sovereignty” the deals and Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed with India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit.
The alliance also announced to hold a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on July 5 to register its protest against the deals.
Zonayed Saki, the chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, announced the protest programme at a press conference at the office of Rasta Songskar Andolon.
Saki alleged that the Awami League government signed the deals with India to cling to power illegally with the support of the neighbouring country.
"Bangladesh stands to gain no benefits from agreements signed with India. Rather, these agreements will heighten the country's security risks. The people of Bangladesh cannot afford to bear this risk for others by spending their own resources,” he said.
By signing such deals, and MoUs, Saki said the Prime Minister has ignored Bangladesh's constitutional foreign policy of 'friendship to all, malice towards none’.
“We, from the Ganatantra Mancha, demand the immediate cancellation of these unequal and anti-sovereignty agreements and MoUs," he said.
Saki alleged that India very systematically wants to hinder the political and democratic advancement of Bangladesh.
He also said an independent and self-reliant Bangladesh can play an important role in turning South Asia into a People's Federation Union. “But India does not want to let that happen. That is why they have systematically made Saarc ineffective.”
On June 21, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to India on a two-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
On the second day of the visit, Dhaka and New Delhi signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), seven of these new and three renewed to further consolidate the ever-growing relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
In a written speech, the Ganatantra Mancha alleged that the government has signed these unequal agreements and the MoUs by undermining the dignity of Bangladesh.
The opposition alliance also said India wants to establish its control over the Mongal Port under various pretexts like transit, corridors and joint marine science research.
"It undermines democracy, independence, and sovereignty of Bangladesh to allow India to use the country as it does with West Bengal or other provinces, in exchange for support to maintain power without a vote," the statement observed.
Ganatantra Mancha also bemoaned that the Prime Minister could not sign the Teesta River water-sharing deal and resolve the issue of a fair share of water from other common rivers with India.
Nagarik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Bangladesh-er Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, Bhashani Onusari Parishad Convenor Sheikh Rafiqul Islam, Rasta Songskar Andolon’s Chief Coordinator Hasnat Quayum and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) senior joint general secretary Kamaluddin Patwari, among others, spoke at the programme.