India cannot seek friendly ties while backing Hasina: Salahuddin

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has accused India of taking a contradictory position on former prime minister Sheikh Hasina by providing her with a political platform while seeking friendly ties with Bangladesh.

Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion at the Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University on Saturday, marking the second anniversary of the July Uprising, he said New Delhi could not expect strong and friendly ties with Dhaka while allowing activities that run counter to Bangladesh's interests.

The discussion, titled 'Role of University Teachers in the Fall of the Fascist Government', was organised by the Dhaka University White Party and the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB).

Salahuddin called on India not to support Sheikh Hasina's political statements and anti-Bangladesh activities, saying Bangladesh wants to maintain friendly diplomatic relations with neighbouring India based on mutual trust and respect for sovereignty.

He said the mass uprising was not a sudden event but the result of 17 years of sacrifice and movement.
Addressing leaders of a newly formed political party, the Home Minister said there was no alternative to experience and maturity in politics.

He said the idea that everything was achieved in just 36 days of movement, while disregarding the history of 17 years of sacrifice, was unrealistic.

"If students of early childhood education class behave like university professors in politics ... it would be wrong to think that there is nothing of the continuous movement of 17 years within just 36 days of movement," he said.

He called on the BNP's friendly student organisation not to fall for various conspiracies and incitements, saying a plot to incite violence was underway and that, in some places, "friendly students" had become involved in it.

Calling on students to remain patient, Salahuddin said, "Abuses or propaganda must be responded to through democratic protest. But under no circumstances should they engage in violence."

Criticising the opposition party's non-participation in the Constitution Amendment Committee, the Home Minister said the BNP would reform the Constitution in a way that would be useful in the long term for building the future of Bangladesh.