BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said that Farakka Day is very important in encouraging people to fight for their rights.
He gave this message on May 16, the day Bangladesh remembers Historic Farakka Day.
Fakhrul said, "May 16 is a very important day in our national movement. On this day 49 years ago, millions of people joined a protest march led by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani. They demanded a fair share of water from the Ganges River, which flows from India to Bangladesh."
He said India has built many dams on rivers that flow to Bangladesh. These dams stop water from coming to Bangladesh, which is harmful for the country. He warned that some areas in Bangladesh are becoming dry and empty of life.
Fakhrul explained that on May 16, 1976, people marched from Rajshahi towards Farakka with courage and strength to demand their rights.
He said that Farakka Day reminds people every year to keep fighting for fairness.
Fakhrul said, "India started taking water from the Ganges River by building the Farakka Dam. This has made the northwest area of Bangladesh dry and caused many problems."
He blamed the then Awami League government for allowing India to test the Farakka Dam.
He said they ignored public opinion and did not think about the damage to the environment or people.
