The ongoing Farakka Barrage dispute has reached a critical juncture, demanding immediate attention from the interim government of Bangladesh.
Political leaders have rightly called for the elevation of this long-standing issue to international forums, including the United Nations (UN) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The time has come for Bangladesh to assert its rights over the Ganges water, a vital resource that has been unilaterally controlled by India for far too long.
The Farakka Barrage, initially commissioned as a temporary project in 1975, has since morphed into a significant threat to Bangladesh’s environment, agriculture, and sovereignty.
The consequences of this unilateral control are dire: widespread desertification in the north, severe river siltation, and increasing salinity levels that jeopardise the Sundarbans and coastal areas.
Such environmental degradation has earned the barrage the ominous label of a ‘Death Trap’ for Bangladesh.
The historical context of this dispute cannot be overlooked. Visionary leaders like Maulana Bhasani mobilised public protests as early as 1976, drawing global attention to Bangladesh’s plight.
Despite the adoption of a protest resolution at the UN General Assembly, the reality remains that nearly 180 million Bangladeshis have yet to see meaningful results.
This is a stark reminder of the need for robust national leadership and unified public mobilisation to protect our rights.
Calls for the technical decommissioning of the Farakka Barrage are not merely political rhetoric; they represent a practical approach to restoring natural river flow and safeguarding Bangladesh’s future.
Under international law, upstream countries like India must ensure that their water withdrawals do not harm downstream neighbours.
The interim government must take a firm stand on this issue, fostering national unity and public awareness while pursuing a foreign policy grounded in dignity and equality.
Furthermore, the call for a new treaty under UN supervision, complete with arbitration provisions, is a necessary step towards ensuring water justice for Bangladesh. Friendship with India should not come at the expense of our dignity and rights.
The people of Bangladesh, particularly the younger generation, are increasingly rejecting any form of subordination.
As we stand at this crossroads, the interim government must act decisively. The fight for water is intrinsically linked to our fight for true independence. Let us not delay in raising our voices on the global stage for the future of our rivers.
