BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said d the prospect of maintaining good relations between Bangladesh and India largely depends on the renewal or conclusion of the Ganges water-sharing agreement, commonly known as the Farakka Treaty.
He made the remarks while addressing a discussion organised by BNP marking the Historic Farakka Day as the chief guest.
The discussion was presided over by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Fakhrul said Farakka Day symbolises resistance and recalled the role of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, who had led movements throughout his life for the welfare of people without compromising with power.
“Maulana Bhashani raised resistance to protect the livelihood, biodiversity and environment of the people of Bangladesh,” he said.
He said the Ganges or Padma River is directly linked to the lives and livelihoods of nearly one-third of Bangladesh’s population and the Farakka Barrage had long threatened the country’s ecology and environment.
Referring to BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul said Zia had internationalised the issue by mobilising public opinion and raising it on the global stage.
Fakhrul alleged that Bangladesh’s problems began after then Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman allowed India in 1973 to experimentally divert water through the Farakka Barrage.
He also mentioned that later efforts regarding water-sharing agreements were made by former president Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Fakhrul said a short-term agreement would not be enough.“This treaty must be for an indefinite period and remain effective until any future agreement replaces it,” he said.
The BNP leader said no demand could ever be realised unless people become united behind it.
“Maulana Bhashani united people over the Farakka issue, which later made it possible for Ziaur Rahman to implement an agreement,” he said.
Fakhrul said the current Ganges Treaty is set to expire on December 2026 and warned that failure to renew the agreement or ensure water flow would create serious concerns for Bangladesh.
“I thank our Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who has taken a quick decision to move forward with the Padma Barrage project.This is a historic decision that will help protect vast areas of the country,” he said.
Fakhrul claimed that the government led by Tarique Rahman is a people’s government elected through a legitimate democratic process.
He alleged that certain groups are carrying out propaganda against the government and trying to destabilise the country. “The people of Bangladesh who earned democracy through sacrifice will never allow any conspiracy to raise its head,” he said.
Fakhrul said Bangladesh expects immediate discussions over the Farakka Treaty in consideration of the interests of the Bangladeshi people.
He also asserted that Bangladesh would never allow any agreement that undermines the country’s interests.
“We believe Tarique Rahman’s government will always prioritise Bangladesh’s interests above everything else,” Fakhrul added.
Among the special guests were BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member and Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, and BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ataur Rahman Dhali.
Among the discussants were Emeritus Professor and water resources and climate change expert Dr Ainun Nishat, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, BUET Professor Dr Md Ataur Rahman, and Jahangirnagar University Professor Dr Nahrin Islam Khan.
Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka Central University Prof Dr Md Nurul Islam presented the keynote paper at the event.