Entire world needs to know Bangladesh is united: Prof Yunus 

Alluding to the campaign against Bangladesh abroad, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the entire world needs to be informed that Bangladesh remains united and whatever it achieved recently was gained through joint efforts.

"Many do not like our freedom. There are ongoing attempts to undermine the mass uprising. They are trying to rewrite the history of the country, trying to overshadow the Bangladesh we are trying to build," he said during a meeting with major political parties today (4 December). 

The chief adviser noted that those who are campaigning against Bangladesh are "very powerful" in terms of resources and arrangements and are constantly spreading various narratives. 

"Many of these [narratives] have spread to big countries. They don't like the mass uprising and want to erase it. They are so powerful that they can manipulate people," he said.

"To protect ourselves from these conspiracies, we must unite. Now, we have to show the world that we unitedly achieve our freedom," he added.

At the meeting, the chief adviser sought political leaders' opinions on three issues – the ongoing "propaganda" against Bangladesh in India and other parts of the world, the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala, and the allegations of minority attacks in recent days.

Advisers Adilur Rahman Khan, Mahfuj Alam, representatives from various political parties including BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami took part in the talks at the Foreign Service Academy.

Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moyeen Khan, Syed Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and AZM Zahid Hossain were among the BNP leaders. 

Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, Gono Samhangti's Jonayed Saki, Nagorik Oikya's Mahmudur Rahman Manna, and Gono Odhikar Parishad's Nurul Haque Nur and Rashed Khan also joined the meeting. 

It was the second round of meetings the chief adviser held within a day to call for national unity amid the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. Meeting with religious leaders is expected to be held today, but the time has not been decided yet.

'Entire nation united against Indian propaganda'

Briefing reporters after today's meeting, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said representatives of all political parties were present in the meeting, except "fascist Sheikh Hasina's party and her cohorts". 

"Although there are different opinions, ideologies, and visions, they all expressed solidarity in standing united on the issue of the country's sovereignty, existence, and independence," he said.

Nazrul said there is no reason to think Bangladesh as "powerless, weak and submissive" and the "entire nation remains united against India's propaganda".

He added that the political parties at the meeting condemned India's "economic exploitation, cultural hegemony, and interference" in Bangladesh's internal and political affairs. 

He further mentioned the parties demanded the disclosure of all agreements signed with India over the past 15 years. "They also called for the cancellation of harmful agreements, including the Rampal power plant deal."

Asif Nazrul also said political leaders praised the unified stance of people from all communities in resisting "anti-Bangladesh propaganda and communal provocation" by India. 

"In light of this, they called for maintaining communal harmony and staying united as a nation," he added.

He mentioned that during the meeting, a proposal was raised to organise a national rally or even establish a security council to address these concerns.

What parties said

At the meeting, the BNP expressed its commitment to stand by the interim government in countering all conspiracies against Bangladesh. 

Leading the BNP delegation, Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said they emphasised working collectively to overcome the Awami League and its allies conspiracies, as was done in the past. 

Regarding elections, he said once reforms are completed, a roadmap for swift elections should be declared. "Providing a clear electoral roadmap will restore public confidence and deter ongoing conspiracies."

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said his party will work with the government to counter propaganda. "We will not fall into traps, bow to anyone, or cross limits. Rest assured, good news is coming soon"  

Jamaat Ameer also reaffirmed his party's uncompromising stance on national sovereignty, pledging unity to counter any conspiracies.  

Asaduzzaman Fuaad, joint secretary general of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) party, said all political parties expressed their solidarity with the government.

He further stated that besides the agenda, several political parties talked about the country's foreign missions. They expressed their dissatisfaction as officials of the previous regime were still working on diplomatic missions abroad, and asked the government to replace them.

Earlier yesterday, Prof Yunus met student leaders, including the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, whose leaders suggested forming an anti-propaganda cell.

"We discussed several issues, including recent tensions, Bangladesh's relations with India, communal issues, rising commodity prices, the ground reality, public sentiment, and the education reform commission with the chief adviser," the movement's convener Hasnat Abdullah told journalists in a brief press conference in front of the chief adviser's residence after the meeting.