During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India, some misinformation regarding the signing of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) has been spread on social media and in various mainstream media. Information and Broadcasting State Minister Mohammad Ali Arafat stated that BNP’s Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has also contributed to this misinformation.
Speaking at a press conference on contemporary issues in the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday (July 1) afternoon, the State Minister made these comments.
The State Minister said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently visited India, where several MoUs were signed. These MoUs have been misrepresented on various social media platforms and, in some cases, in mainstream media. We have seen leaders and activists from BNP and Jamaat engaging in this misinformation campaign.
Yesterday, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also joined this misinformation campaign. The statements he made at a press conference yesterday were completely false and outright lies. He may not have read all the provisions of the MoUs, or those spreading misinformation have not read them. By presenting these provisions partially and misleading the public, they are causing confusion.
He said, referring to the movement of Indian trains through Bangladesh, that Mirza Fakhrul mentioned that our country would face security risks. He claimed that India would transport arms through this line. However, there is nothing of this sort in the MoUs. Instead, it is explicitly stated that no arms or similar items can be transported. Clause three of the MoU clearly states that only goods without “red traffic” can be transported. It defines dangerous and offensive goods, including arms and explosives, which cannot be transported.
The State Minister mentioned that not only will Indian trains pass through Bangladesh, but we will also be able to use Indian railways to reach Nepal and Bhutan. These achievements have been misrepresented. Nepal and Bhutan will use Mongla Port and Chittagong Port in Bangladesh instead of Kolkata Port, which they currently use. This will benefit our ports. Will you say that this is a submissive foreign policy for India, as they are making our ports profitable instead of their Kolkata Port?
Ali Arafat highlighted a significant achievement in the MoU. We will import 40 MW from Nepal through the Indian grid line. When our electricity demand is low during the winter, we will export surplus electricity. Now, will you say that Bangladesh will import and export electricity through India?
By not mentioning these aspects of the MoU, they are engaging in misinformation for their gain, calling it a slave agreement and submissive foreign policy.
The State Minister said that the whole world is progressing through regional connectivity. The whole world is coming under connectivity. We did not give this to India alone. They are distorting it. It is primarily BNP’s submissive thinking.
