Quader: Don’t incite anarchy over Modi’s visit

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader Tuesday urged all concerned not to incite any chaos centering Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to Bangladesh.

He made the call at a regular press conference on contemporary issues at his official residence on parliament premises.

Quader said a vested quarter is hatching conspiracy to thwart the Indian premier’s visit marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh.

Chhatra Federation, a student organization, takes out a rally in Dhaka on Tuesday and burns his photos, protesting the participation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a leader of the right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), at the Bangabandhu birth centenary and the golden jubilee of independence celebrations, being currently held at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka. This photo was taken at the Dhaka University campus on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 | Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

Mentioning that India was the main ally of Bangladesh during 1971 Liberation War, the minister said Bangladesh invited the head of the government of India, not any particular individual, on the occasion of the twin celebrations.

He said Narendra Modi is an invited guest and his visit has no link with any other issue. About BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s comment that the party started getting organized to defeat the government, the ruling party general secretary said if BNP becomes politically organized, there is no problem.

But if BNP carries out their evil attempts to create unrest in the name of movement, the Awami League, along with the people, will face their evil acts, he said.

“Now Awami League is very much united, strong and well-organized,” he said.