No compromise on Bangladesh's sovereignty, Suranjan Ghosh says at National Press Club

Suranjan Ghosh, president of the Bangladesh Muslim Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Forum, has called for respect for Bangladesh's sovereignty, independent foreign policy and the people's right to make political decisions. He said Bangladesh is not a tributary state of any country and that the people of this country will determine Bangladesh's political future.

He made the remarks at a press conference at the National Press Club on Friday (6 November). The press conference was organised to protest the siege of Bangladesh's deputy high commission in India and Delhi's concern over unrest among Bangladesh's garment workers.

In a written statement, Suranjan Ghosh said: 'Our core philosophy is not division, but unity. Religion is personal, Bangladesh belongs to everyone. We believe the right to determine Bangladesh's political future belongs solely to the people of Bangladesh. Political or intelligence interference by any foreign state cannot be acceptable for Bangladesh's sovereignty.'

He expressed deep concern and protest over a march by supporters of a Hindutva organisation towards the Bangladesh deputy high commission in Kolkata and the disruption of security at the diplomatic premises. He said everyone has the right to peaceful protest, but attempts to attack or intimidate a country's diplomatic premises are not acceptable.

Suranjan Ghosh said that under the 1961 Vienna Convention, ensuring the security of diplomatic missions is the responsibility of the host state. On that basis, he demanded that India ensure the security of all Bangladeshi diplomatic missions.

On relations with India, he said they want friendship with India, not an unequal relationship; cooperation, not dominance. Welcoming the 3 November statement by Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal about a positive and constructive relationship regarding Bangladesh, he said declarations of friendship also need to be reflected in actual behaviour.

Suranjan Ghosh also expressed concern over communal violence and the human rights situation in India. Referring to the ethnic conflict in Manipur since 2023, in which many people have been killed and displaced, he said attacks on Christians' religious sites and homes there are also worrying. There are likewise allegations of discrimination and violence against Dalit, Muslim, Christian and indigenous communities, and he called for impartial investigation and justice in those incidents.

Expressing solidarity with Bangladeshi garment workers' demands for fair wages and a safe working environment, he said there should be international discussion on workers' rights, but no country's labour movement should be used for another country's political interests.

He said at the press conference that their remarks are not against the people of India, followers of Hinduism or any ethnic community; their criticism is against specific state policies, abuse of power, extremism and human rights violations. Just as they will protest injustice against any religious community in Bangladesh, they will also protest oppression of Muslim, Christian, Dalit or indigenous communities in India.

The organisation placed 10 demands at the press conference. They include ensuring the security of all Bangladeshi diplomatic missions in India, respecting Bangladesh's sovereignty and independent foreign policy, impartially investigating allegations of foreign intelligence interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs, respecting the judicial process for allegations of cross-border killings and murder conspiracies raised internationally, and ensuring the security of all religious and ethnic communities in India, including in Manipur.

The other demands include ending discrimination and violence against Dalit, Muslim, Christian and indigenous communities, speedy and fair trials for prisoners awaiting trial, ensuring Bangladesh's fair share of water, stopping border killings and removing trade discrimination.

Suranjan Ghosh said: 'We want a friendly relationship between the people of Bangladesh and the people of India. But friendship does not mean surrender, and good relations do not mean sacrificing national interests. On Bangladesh's sovereignty, state dignity and national interests, we are uncompromising.'

Bangladesh Muslim Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Forum general secretary Mahabubur Rahman, vice-president Shyamal Chakraborty, Advocate Awlad Hossain, member Major Abdur Rauf, Advocate Wahid Majumdar, Debpriya Bhikkhu and other leaders of the organisation were present at the press conference.