Staff Reporter :
Retired military officers in Bangladesh have pledged to defend the nation against both internal and external conspiracies, emphasising their resolve to counter what they view as Indian propaganda.
The commitment was made during a rally on Saturday in front of the RAOWA Club in Dhaka, where participants strongly opposed alleged “Indian aggression” and smear campaigns aimed at destabilising the country.
Speakers at the rally condemned recent actions by Indian media and political circles, particularly since August 5, which they described as part of a concerted effort to harm Bangladesh’s sovereignty and reputation.
They also criticised incidents such as the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala and the desecration of the national flag, calling them direct threats to the nation’s independence.
Retired Colonel Mohammad Ahsanullah, the event’s convener and a freedom fighter, demanded a foreign policy rooted in equality, rejecting any subservient stance. “We will not tolerate any submissive foreign policy,” he declared.
Addressing the people of India, he said, “We have no enmity with you; you are our friends. However, we refuse to provide shelter or support to the saffron-clad Hindu imperialism that seeks to dominate.”
Colonel Ahsanullah highlighted Bangladesh’s heritage of harmony, referencing figures like Hazrat Shah Jalal, Hazrat Shah Makhdum, Atish Dipankar, and Sri Chaitanya.
However, he voiced concerns over recent actions by Indian leadership following Sheikh Hasina’s departure, which he characterised as aggressive and threatening.
“The attack on our consulates in Agartala and Kolkata, along with the desecration of our national flag, are direct threats to our sovereignty,” he said.
He criticised certain Indian media outlets for spreading misinformation, emphasising that attacks on embassies violate the Vienna Convention and equate to attacks on sovereign territory.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Manesh Dewan reaffirmed the military’s readiness to defend the country. “We stood by the people during the mass-student movement, defying curfews. If necessary, we will take to the streets again to protect our nation.”
Retired Colonel Lutful Haque urged the government to disclose all agreements with India, reassess the presence of Indian nationals in Bangladesh, and ban Indian media outlets propagating misinformation.
The rally concluded with a protest march attended by over 500 participants, including retired members of various forces. The march began at the RAOWA Club, proceeded to the Chief Adviser’s Office crossing, and returned to its starting point.
Slogans such as “Delhi, not Dhaka, Dhaka Dhaka” resounded throughout the march, underscoring the participants’ call for sovereignty and national unity above political and ideological divisions.
