BNP Parliamentary Party yesterday demanded immediate withdrawal of Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty for "violating diplomatic norms and interfering in the country's internal affairs".
"This envoy has long been making derogative remarks, breaching diplomatic etiquette. The way he talks amounts to meddling in our internal affairs, and could affect the bilateral relations. "So we want him to be immediately withdrawn from Bangladesh," opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque said reading out a statement to reporters at the media centre in parliament complex.
Since the present government came to power, Chakravarty has been behaving even more recklessly. Still, the foreign ministry did not bother to warn him or register a protest, the BNPPP observed in the statement. "The most alarming is his making objectionable comments in presence of the foreign minister."
The opposition alleged that Foreign Minister Dipu Moni has failed to uphold the nation's dignity as she did not protest the Indian high commissioner's 'abrasive' comments on Tipaimukh dam and Bangladesh water experts. "She [Moni] has in fact committed an unpardonable offence. This proves once again that sovereignty and national interests are not in safe hands."
Referring to Pinak Chakravarty's observations at a seminar Sunday, Farroque said he questioned the expertise of Bangladeshi water experts opposing the construction of Tipaimukh dam. Dipu Moni was present there, but did not feel the need to protest.
Replying to a query on their possibility of joining the ongoing parliament session, the opposition chief whip said they would if they are given a 'respectable' number of front-row seats and adequate security is ensured for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. BNP lawmakers Barkatullah Bulu, Mahbubuddin Khokon and Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne, among others, were present at the briefing.
JAMAAT PROTESTS
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid yesterday condemned and protested the remarks of the Indian high commissioner.In a statement, he said Pinak's remarks on the country's water experts are beyond diplomatic norms. They are tantamount to interference in the internal affairs.
Before making the 'provocative comments', he should have remembered his position as diplomat, Mojahid added."He himself is not a water expert, and nor does he know everything under the sun.. How could he make such disrespectful comments about our water, river and environment experts?" reads the statement.
It was shocking to see how the Indian envoy spoke in presence of the foreign minister, the Jamaat leader said."The minister should have protested the comments right away. By not doing so she has failed to reflect the sentiment of the people."The former social welfare minister demanded that the government formally protest the comments of the high commissioner.