No scope to treat Bangladesh as subservient: Law adviser

Everyone is united on the issue of the country’s sovereignty, and there is no room to treat the country as subservient, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said on Wednesday.

“We reached a national consensus on the issue of the country’s independence, sovereignty, existence and dignity. We will remain united against any kinds of propaganda and provocation,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

Earlier, the chief adviser held a meeting with senior leaders of the country’s major political parties to reach a national unity to build a strong resistance against the anti-Bangladesh falsehoods of India.   

As the entire nation is united in terms of the country’s independence and sovereignty, a proposal to form a political council or security council was placed during the meeting, he said.

The participants unanimously expressed solidarity with the government’s bold stance on these issues and urged for stronger diplomatic efforts to address such provocations, said Asif Nazrul.

He added that the meeting recommended engaging international allies and media outlets to counter anti-Bangladesh narratives.

The discussion also highlighted the need to publish details of bilateral agreements made with India during the tenure of the previous government led by the Awami League.

Calls were made to cancel harmful agreements, such as those related to the Rampal power plant and to resist economic and cultural dominance. Political leaders urged India to act as a respectful and cooperative neighbour.

Participants commended the unity demonstrated by people from all communities in maintaining communal harmony during recent provocations.

“Everyone emphasised that Bangladesh can no longer afford to appear weak or submissive. We must stand united and courageous against any disinformation or provocation,” said Nazrul.

The meeting also proposed organising a national political council, a security council and a mass assembly to demonstrate collective strength.

“The overarching sentiment was clear, while we may differ in ideology or position, on matters of national sovereignty and independence, we are one. Above all, the country comes first," he added.

Prominent leaders from various political parties attended the meeting, including representatives from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Jatiya Party (Zafar), and many others.

This meeting is part of a broader initiative by Yunus to build national unity. On Tuesday, he held discussions with leaders of student organisations and on Thursday, he is set to meet religious leaders for the same purpose.