BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday alleged that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi belittled Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and freedom fighters by claiming that December 16, 1971, was India’s historic victory.

“India arrogantly considers itself the master, as its Prime Minister Narendra Modi said December 16 was India’s historic victory,” he said while addressing a programme calling for a boycott of Indian products in Shantinagar.

The BNP leader said Modi has belittled and ignored the independence of Bangladesh, its independent territory, the liberation war and the freedom fighters of Bangladesh.

He said the brave sons of Bangladesh fought and put up a resistance against the invading forces of Pakistan from rivers, canals, water bodies, and jungles.

“You (India) played the role of a friend. So, how can it be India’s Victory Day instead of Bangladesh’s Victory Day? That means they want to ignore our Liberation War,” the BNP leader said.

’, alleges Rizvi

He also criticised India for backing Sheikh Hasina’s government to illegally stay in power.

“No country in the world, except Delhi, has supported Sheikh Hasina for the past 16 years,” he said.