Motha’s youth wing protests in Agartala against B’desh leader’s anti-India remarks

Agartala: The ruling BJP’s coalition partner, Tipra Motha’s youth wing Youth Tipra Federation (YTF), staged a demonstration outside the office of the assistant high commissioner of Bangladesh in Agartala on Friday, protesting against alleged anti-India comments made by a Bangladeshi leader.The protest was a reaction to remarks attributed to Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party, which YTF members claimed posed a direct threat to India’s sovereignty. Just two days ago, Abdullah insulted India and threatened to seize the seven sister states of the northeast.Protesters shouted slogans condemning Bangladesh’s interim leadership and voiced their concerns over what they characterised as increasingly aggressive rhetoric.YTF president Suraj Debbarma said the demonstration represented public sentiment rather than any formal political demands. He accused Abdullah of making comments that jeopardised Indian interests while speaking near the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh.“From in front of the assistant high commissioner’s office, we aim to convey a clear message,” Debbarma said, highlighting India’s historical involvement in the establishment of Bangladesh.

He said despite India’s assistance during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971, recent statements from certain leaders have been framing India as an enemy.Debbarma further asserted that repeated threats regarding the capture of the northeast have incited unrest among local populations. In a strong symbolic statement, he warned that ongoing provocations could lead to heightened resistance from the region’s inhabitants.

He cautioned that if the Indian govt does not properly evaluate the situation, citizens might call for more robust actions to protect territorial integrity.“As responsible citizens of India, we are ready to defend our land and will not stay silent,” he said.The YTF president also voiced concerns about possible instability in Bangladesh as elections approach, alleging foreign interference in the country’s interim government. The protest ended peacefully.