BD marks 48yrs of Farakka dam dispute

Staff Reporter:

A human chain was formed in front of the National Press Club on Thursday at 10:30 AM, organised by the Progressive Nationalist Party (PNP), to mark the 48th anniversary of the controversial Farakka Dam construction by India. The event commemorated the historic Farakka Long March Day, which began in 1976 as a protest against India’s construction of the dam on the Ganges River, which has significantly impacted the water flow into Bangladesh.

PNP Chairman Feroz Mohammed Liton, who presided over the event, expressed deep concerns about Bangladesh’s continued deprivation of its rightful share of water from the dam. Liton accused India of deliberately constructing the dam to turn Bangladesh into a desert, noting that despite nearly five decades, Bangladesh has still not been granted a fair share of water from the Padma River, the country’s lifeline.

“Fifty years ago, under the leadership of the revered Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, we raised our voices against the Farakka Dam. The struggle for our rightful water share continues today,” Liton said, addressing the crowd. He also quoted Bhasani’s famous words: “Your right to water is like a child’s right to its mother’s milk. Wake up, rise against those who have taken away your eternal rights granted by nature.”

The Farakka Dam, which India built in 1975, has been a longstanding issue between the two neighboring countries. Bangladesh has long argued that the diversion of water from the Ganges River has led to environmental damage, including reduced water flow in the Padma River, harming agriculture and livelihoods in the southwestern regions of the country.

Liton further accused India of continued aggressive actions, including the killing of innocent Bangladeshi citizens and interference in the country’s internal affairs. He called on the Bangladesh government to take legal action against India at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the ongoing water Other leaders who spoke at the human chain include the party’s Secretary General Ahmedur Rahman, Joint Secretary General TM Kamrul Hasan Hridoy, Ziaur Rahman Hira, Organizing Secretary Sirajul Islam Siraj, Joint Organizing Secretary Sheikh Md. Helal Uddin, Office Secretary Haji Md. Nurnabi, Labor Affairs Secretary Shafiqul Islam Sofi, Religious Affairs Secretary Md. Selim, and central leaders Md. Delwar Hossain and Md. Mamunur Rashid.