Staff Correspondent

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday alleged that India does not want to see democracy in its neighbouring countries due to its hegemonic attitude.

"India is a democratic country, but it does not want Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka to be governed by the will of their people. Why should they follow Delhi's words?" he said while inaugurating the three BNP associate bodies' march towards Agartala from Nayapaltan.

He said the people of Bangladesh liberated the country from Pakistan by sacrificing blood, not to surrender to Delhi.

The BNP leader said if India demanded Chattogram as their part, then Bangladesh would demand Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha as its part. "We won't chew amla if they (India) come to occupy Chattogram."

Rizvi alleged that India supported the 'bloodthirsty Lady Pharaoh, Sheikh Hasina,' over the last 16 years.

He said the Indian ruling party has been criticised by democratic countries all over the world due to its communal attitude.

The Indian ruling party has not understood the spirit, self-strength, and bravery of the people of Bangladesh.

Later, the BNP associate bodies – Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal – started their planned long march by travelling in several hundred cars, microbuses, and motorcycles towards Agartala from Dhaka at 9 am to protest against Indian aggression.

The programme is also meant to protest against the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala, the desecration of the country's national flag, and the spread of false information and terrorism against Bangladesh by India.

Several thousand leaders and activists from the three organisations formally began the long march with a huge motorcade from the party's Nayapaltan central office.

Before launching the long march, top leaders from the three organisations delivered brief speeches, condemning Indian politicians and media for their hegemonic attitude and attempting to disrupt religious harmony in Bangladesh through false and misleading campaigns.

The leaders said they will end their peaceful long march along the Akhaura Indian border.