We are not anti-Indian but anti-hegemony: Asif Mahmud

Invoking the legacy of Abrar Fahad on his seventh death anniversary on Thursday, National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan has drawn a clear distinction between anti-hegemonic politics and anti-Indian sentiment, saying Bangladesh’s foreign policy must put national sovereignty and the country’s interests above external pressure.

“We are not anti-Indian; we are anti-hegemony. In relations with any country in the world, Bangladesh’s interests must come first,” he said.

He made the remarks at a discussion “Abrar Fahad: The Context of Delhi’s Hegemony”, organised by the Dhaka University (DU) branch of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti at the R.C. Majumdar Auditorium on Thursday, marking the seventh death anniversary of BUET student Abrar Fahad.

Asif Mahmud said anti-hegemony politics should not remain confined to speeches and statements but should be reflected in state policy and decision-making.

“There is no objection to entering into agreements with any country if they are beneficial to Bangladesh and do not entail major risks,” he said, adding that the party does not support any agreement or bilateral relationship that compromises Bangladesh’s interests.

Referring to Abrar Fahad’s “Eight Pillars”, he said the principles of democracy and mass resistance must be translated into political practice to make opposition to hegemony meaningful and effective.

NCP Member Secretary and lawmaker Akhtar Hossain recalled Abrar Fahad as a symbol of Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, saying he was brutally killed for raising his voice in defence of the country’s interests.