Students of Jagannath University (JnU) blamed India for recent floods in Bangladesh, holding a protest march late on Wednesday against the opening of sluice gates of the Dumboor and Gazaldoba dams by India without informing Dhaka and demanding a fair share of water from the international rivers shared with India.
The protest attracted about 600 students.
One of them, Nur Novi from the Islamic studies department, said: “You have seen that we achieved our second independence in exchange for blood. At the time all countries except India were in our favour; they have repeatedly tried to question our movement.
“But it is not possible to accept what they are doing now. No matter how strong they are, we will stand against them… I want to tell the government that we have to get a fair share of water from international rivers.”
Another student, Masud, said: “India never wanted anything good for us and still does not. That is why they opened the dams and flooded Bangladesh.”
Mahfuz Milon, another protester, said India has purposefully opened the Dumboor and Gazaldoba dams, which “clearly shows that India is not our friend and just wants to use us.”
JnU student Rakib said the opening of the Dumboor and Gazaldoba dams by India has caused flash floods in Bangladesh. “We want a fair share of international river waters. India's relations with its neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives have deteriorated due to its aggression.”