Countrymen, not India, will decide who sits in Bangladesh parliament: Hasnat
He also said no more submissive foreign policy would be allowed in Bangladesh
The people of the country will decide who will sit in the Bangladesh parliament, Hasanat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said today (6 January).
"In the past, who would sit on Dhaka's throne was decided by Delhi. But from now on, the people of this country will decide," he said at a rally in Faridpur.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement organised the rally at 4pm at the Government Rajendra College, where the platform's central coordinators, including Hasnat, Sarjis Alam, Hasibul Islam, were present.
Speaking at the event, Hasnat urged all to discontinue being India-centric and instead focus on the country.
He also said no more submissive foreign policy would be allowed in Bangladesh.
"We want to clearly say that from now on, Bangladesh's foreign policy will be based on fairness, eye to eye," said the student leader.
Hasnat stated that the objective of the student movement includes the complete dismantling of the fascist regime, rebuilding a new political framework, and incorporating the people's aspirations into the "Proclamation of the July Revolution.
Mentioning the 2009 Pilkhana massacre and the last three national elections, Hasnat alleged that since the interim government took charge on 8 August, they have yet to see justice over the incidents.
"We want to clearly tell the interim government that these cases must be processed without delay."
Also at the rally, July Shaheed Smriti Foundation General Secretary Sarjis Alam, said, "We stand with the families of all martyrs. We must ensure justice for these families. We demand justice. Murderer Hasina must return to Bangladesh promptly and face trial. From the courtroom, she will be led directly to the gallows.
"We want to state clearly from our side that elections will definitely be held in Bangladesh at a reasonable time, but before that, we must restore the systems that Hasina destroyed."
Regarding foreign policies implemented by the country, he said, "We will define our foreign policy eye to eye. If any major power tries to impose a foreign policy upon us, we will reject it."