India helped Bangladesh during Liberation War for strategic interests, not out of compassion: Anu Muhammad
Whenever we criticise these matters, they bring up the issue of independence and say 'We gave you independence,' he says
Economist Anu Muhammad today (4 December) questioned why Bangladesh should give everything to India in return for their assistance during the Liberation War.
"India helped us during the Liberation War for its strategic interests, not out of compassion. States do not act out of goodwill, but we must remain grateful to the Indian people for their support, shelter, and solidarity during that time," he said while speaking at a discussion at Rajshahi University.
The discussion was organised by a cultural platform called Muktangon.
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Anu Muhammad further said, "We were always under Indian aggression. Whenever we criticise these matters, they bring up the issue of independence and say 'We gave you independence'. They use this as a tool to constantly try to dominate us."
Referring to India's recent "undiplomatic" behaviour, he said, "By raising the issue of Hindu persecution in Bangladesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party is actually trying to take advantage of the situation.
"In fact, Hindus are facing the most persecution in India."
Advising caution against falling into the BJP's agenda, the economist said, "The interim government should form a media cell to verify and present the truth about the misinformation being spread by the Indian media about Bangladesh."
He also suggested that the agreements with the Indian government should be made public and those that are against the national interest should be cancelled.
