Farakka Day: BNP expresses concern over water-sharing

BNP reiterated its concern over the water-sharing issue ahead of historic Farakka Day tomorrow (16 May), through a statement issued by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. 

In his message today (15 May), he called 16 May a historic and significant day in the country's national movement, according to a press release issued by Muhammad Munir Hossain, assistant office secretary of the BNP.

The barrage has turned into a death trap and Bangladesh's people are being deprived of water. 

Fakhrul said, "Nearly 49 years ago, at the call of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, thousands of people from across the country took part in the historic long march towards Farakka in a bid to secure Bangladesh's rightful share of the Ganges water in accordance with international law. Following the construction of the Farakka Barrage at the Farakka point in India, unilateral withdrawal of water from the shared river began, severely affecting the northwestern region of Bangladesh."

He alleged that this has led to environmental imbalance and increasing ecological degradation in the area.

The BNP leader further said that the then government allowed the commissioning of the Farakka Barrage on an experimental basis for a few days, ignoring public opinion as well as environmental and humanitarian concerns.

Fakhrul added that the barrage has since remained operational and has turned into a "death trap," depriving the people of Bangladesh of their fair share of water.

He also said that in protest against this situation and in view of the impending humanitarian and environmental crisis, Maulana Bhashani led the historic long march from Rajshahi towards Farakka, drawing international attention to the issue.

Since then, he added, the issue has remained widely discussed in the international arena due to its humanitarian implications.

Fakhrul further said, "The significance of Farakka Day remains highly relevant today. The construction of successive dams and barrages on 54 shared rivers flowing from India into Bangladesh, without regard for international laws and conventions, has obstructed natural river flows and resulted in unilateral water withdrawal, posing a serious threat to Bangladesh's existence."

He warned that signs of Bangladesh turning into barren and unproductive land are already becoming visible.

Reiterating the historical context, he said that on 16 May, 1976, under the leadership of Maulana Bhashani, people undertook a courageous march from Rajshahi towards Farakka to demand their rightful share of water.

Fakhrul added that Farakka Day continues to inspire people in their struggle for rights.

He concluded by expressing hope for the success of various programmes organised on the occasion of Farakka Day.