Boycott of Indian products to be on: BNP

Staff Reporter :
Zainul Abedin Farroque, a member of the BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council, emphasised on Monday that the movement to boycott Indian products is ongoing and will persist.

He made these remarks during a human chain program organized by Jatiyatabadi Nobin Dal in front of the Jatiya Press Club, where demands were raised for the restoration of the caretaker government and the boycott of Indian products.

Farroque clarified, “We are not against the people of India.” He acknowledged the presence of lower-income and pro-democratic individuals in India who are striving to restore democracy.

“Our opposition is against those who support an illegal government in Bangladesh,” he stressed, reaffirming the continuation of their movement against boycotting Indian products.

Reflecting on their historical struggle, Farroque recalled their fight against the Pakistani regime to restore democracy in Bangladesh.

He emphasised that the essence of their independence struggle was to establish a nation for all its citizens.

“During the Pakistani era, we overcame the dominance of 22 families, but now, around two lakh families are undermining the achievements of our independence,” he lamented.

Farroque acknowledged India as a valuable friend of Bangladesh, especially for their support during the liberation war.

However, he criticised India’s current stance, accusing them of backing an autocratic regime in Bangladesh.

“Although India aided us in gaining freedom from Pakistan, their support for a government imposing undemocratic rule on pro-democratic forces is unacceptable to us,” he added.

Farroque, also a former opposition chief whip in parliament, said, “We will help and continue to support those institutions and organisations that will accelerate the movement of boycotting Indian products.

Our demand is only one, and that is to relieve Indian aggression and stop support for an undemocratic regime.”

The BNP leader alleged that the ruling Awami League government is using state force to wipe out the BNP from politics.