BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the people of Bangladesh had been deprived of their fair share of waters of the transboundary rivers because of the deposed Awami League government.

In a message marking the “Historic Farakka Day” on May 16, Fakhrul said the day remains a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s national movement.

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“Forty-nine years ago, under the leadership of the undisputed oppressed people’s leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, hundreds of thousands of people from across the country joined the historic long march towards Farakka demanding Bangladesh’s rightful share of the Ganges water in accordance with international law,” he said.

Fakhrul said India constructed a dam at the Farakka point on the Ganges and began unilaterally withdrawing water from the shared river.

“As a result, the northwestern region of Bangladesh has nearly turned into a desert. Severe ecological imbalances, including water scarcity, have emerged in the region,” he said.

He alleged that the then Awami League government ignored public opinion and allowed India to experimentally operate the Farakka Barrage for a few days without considering biodiversity, environmental standards and the risks of natural and humanitarian disasters.

“But the barrage has continued operating ever since and has now turned into a deadly trap,” Fakhrul said.

“Due to the then Awami League government, the people of this country have been deprived of their fair share of water,” he added.

The BNP leader said Maulana Bhashani, anticipating public suffering and environmental disaster caused by the deprivation, led the historic march towards Farakka to protest before the Indian government and draw international attention to the issue.

“From then on, the Farakka Barrage and its role in creating large-scale humanitarian consequences began to receive widespread international attention,” he said.

Fakhrul said the significance of Farakka Day remains highly relevant even today.

“Disregarding international laws, regulations and conventions, India has continued constructing dams on the 54 transboundary rivers flowing into Bangladesh and unilaterally diverting water in its own favour by obstructing the natural flow of rivers. This has become dangerous for Bangladesh’s very existence,” he said.

He warned that signs of Bangladesh gradually turning into barren and infertile land had already become visible.

“Therefore, the historic march led by Maulana Bhashani on May 16, 1976 from Rajshahi towards Farakka remains a fearless and inspiring step in the struggle for rightful demands,” Fakhrul said.

“That is why every year the observance of ‘Historic Farakka Day’ inspires people in movements for the realization of their rights,” he added.

He also wished success to all programmes organised by different organisations marking the occasion.