NN Online
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi intensified his call for a nationwide boycott of Indian products by publicly burning his wife’s Indian sari on Thursday. The act, staged in front of the National Press Club, followed his previous symbolic protest in March, when he discarded an Indian shawl.
The demonstration was part of an event urging citizens to cease using Indian goods in response to alleged disrespect shown toward Bangladesh’s national flag in Agartala, India.
Rizvi condemned the reported attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, during which extremists allegedly vandalized the gate, broke the flagpole, and tore down the national flag. He expressed his indignation, saying:
“Why should we buy your products when you do not respect us? Bangladeshis are not a submissive people. We would rather have one fewer meal but never bow our heads.”
Highlighting Bangladesh’s agricultural potential, Rizvi dismissed claims that the country relies on India for essential goods. He pointed to abundant ginger cultivation in Bandarban, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and Nilphamari as an example of local self-sufficiency.
“We will increase our cultivation and not depend on you anymore,” he declared.
Rizvi also criticized Indian leaders and media for suggesting Bangladeshis depend on Indian doctors.
“Do you treat us for free? Our people spend dollars at your hospitals. Look at Kolkata’s New Market—it’s now deserted,” he remarked.
Rizvi tied his protest to broader national unity efforts led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, urging solidarity against what he termed as “external aggression and internal tyranny.” He accused India of supporting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom he called a “tyrant oppressing the people.”
“They do not want Bangladesh to thrive. Their provocations will fail because our nation has seen through them,” Rizvi said, reiterating that unity among Bangladeshis is unshakable.
