DHAKA, Dec 11, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said India doesn't want Bangladesh to run by the desire of the countrymen.

"India is a democratic country, but they do not want Bangladesh to follow the words of the people," he said. 

He made the remarks while inaugurating the Dhaka-Agartala Long March from in front of the BNP central office in Nayapaltan here this morning organised by BNP's three associate organizations - the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal.

The long march started at 9:30am towards Agartala, India in protest of the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, the insult to the national flag of Bangladesh and the conspiracy for communal riots in Bangladesh.

Speaking to the gathering prior to long march, Rizvi said the rulers of Delhi could not understand the strength, self-confidence and bravery of the people of Bangladesh.

He continued: "We achieved freedom in exchange for blood. Will we sell this freedom? We have snatched away the freedom from Pindi, will we surrender to Delhi?"

The senior BNP leader has heavily come down on India as it is supporting the bloodthirsty Lady Pharaoh (Sheikh Hasina) to sustain her.

Mentioning that the democratic countries across the globe are criticising the role of Indian government, saying: "India is doing so, though it is a democratic country".

Rizvi said India does not want the people of Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka to run by the desires of their own.

"Why should they follow Delhi's words? The rulers of Delhi did not understand the blood, self-confidence and bravery of the people of Bangladesh," he said.

Although the long march was scheduled to begin at 9:30am, leaders and activists of the three BNP organizations started gathering on the central office premises since 7 in the morning with processions in separate groups. 

The leaders and activists have participated in the program with national and party flags, festoons and placards.

The venue ground turned into a human sea with participation of thousands of leaders and activists.

There are a large number of vehicles in the long march convoy.

On Tuesday night, the organizations informed the media that the long march will start from in front of the BNP central office at 8 am and will go up to the flyover via the Paltan-Fakirapul-Ittefaq intersection. 

The long march will then reach Bhairab via Signboard-Chittagong Road-Kanchpur Intersection-Tarab-Barfa-Bhulata, Gauchia-Chanpara, Madhabadi-Panchdona-Sahepratab, Velanagar-Itkhola-Marjal-Baruicha. 

After that, it will hold a roadside rally in Bhairab while heading towards Akhaura Land Port.

Before the start of the long march, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal gathered in front of the BNP central office in Nayapaltan and held a short rally.

The long march is being led by Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna, General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani, General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam and General Secretary Nasir Uddin.