Jatiya Party (JaPa) chairman GM Quader has commented that the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should be brought back to Bangladesh and put on trial for all the crimes committed by her and her regime.
He also has rejected the claims made by those who blame India for the flood situation in Bangladesh.
He termed their statements “misleading”.
The JaPa leader stated that anti-India sentiments are being used to wrongly accuse New Delhi for the natural disaster.
In an interview with PTI, he said that while people in both countries want good relations, it’s important to stop acting as if one country is the "supreme lord" and instead treat each other as equal partners.
Regarding the "Drive Out India" campaign in Bangladesh, GM Quader said that the animosity is not directed against India itself. Instead, it is a reaction to the unwavering support India has shown towards a specific political party (the Awami League) and its leader (Sheikh Hasina) despite the initiation of authoritarian rule and numerous allegations of misrule in Bangladesh.
The 76-year-old politician said: "Blaming India for the flood in Bangladesh is incorrect. This is a false narrative. How can you blame someone for a flood or any natural disaster? It is natural for water to flow from higher to lower areas. The issue we are facing is the lack of water flow from India. However, if the water is not released during the monsoon, there could break and cause a large-scale disaster in the dams."
GM Quader further mentioned: "It would have been better if we had early warnings from India so that we could have been prepared."
His comments come in response to reports from Dhaka blaming India for the ongoing devastating flood in Bangladesh.
The flood in the delta region of Bangladesh and the upstream Indian region, caused by seasonal rainfall, has resulted in several deaths and affected around three million people in Bangladesh. This has posed a significant administrative challenge for the newly formed interim government in Bangladesh.
India has denied reports suggesting that the current flood situation in parts of Bangladesh was caused by the opening of the Gomati River dam in Tripura. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that flooding of shared rivers is a common problem for both countries and requires close mutual cooperation to resolve.
GM Quader criticized those who use anti-India sentiments to mislead people, saying that naturally, water flows from high to low areas. He added that if excessive water is not released from the dams, it could lead to dam failures and major disasters.
There are over 200 rivers flowing through Bangladesh, with 54 of them being shared with India.
Despite India being considered a “time-tested friend” of Bangladesh, GM Quader noted that growing anti-India sentiment is directed not against the Indian people but against policymakers. He explained that the Indian support for the Awami League, despite its flaws, has led to a perception that India is a supporter of the Awami League, causing dissatisfaction among people.
GM Quader also commented on the situation involving Sheikh Hasina, saying that her decision to flee to India has worsened the situation. He believes that Sheikh Hasina should be extradited to Bangladesh and tried here. The interim government of Bangladesh has canceled the diplomatic passports of Sheikh Hasina and her former cabinet members.
Regarding future bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, GM Quader stated that both countries need each other and should adopt a new and positive perspective following the fall of the Awami League government.
He emphasized that both countries should reconsider ways to improve bilateral relations and avoid any big-brother attitude, treating each other as equals.
On the current situation in Bangladesh, The JaPa leader mentioned that the people desire a return to a democratic process as quickly as possible.
He advocated for constitutional reforms to prevent any single political party or individual from becoming too powerful and to ensure the strength of independent institutions.
He welcomed the recent appeal by Dr Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the interim government, for the people of Bangladesh to be patient.
Quader praised the interim government's commitment to implementing significant reforms and ensuring a free, fair, and participatory election.
He acknowledged the challenge of addressing substantial issues quickly and stressed the importance of timely reforms.