<div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said India also wanted to belittle the sacrifices of the 30 lakh martyrs who gave their lives for the liberation of Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“When America was fighting against the British, France helped America from 1776 until their victory in 1781. But France never claimed that this was their Victory Day. Americans celebrate their Victory Day, their Independence Day,” Rizvi said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On Bangladesh’s Victory Day on Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the soldiers who contributed to India’s historic victory in 1971.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India's historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us," Modi wrote in a post on X.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakeable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation's history," he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rizvi also criticised India for backing Sheikh Hasina’s government to illegally stay in power.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“No country in the world, except Delhi, has supported Sheikh Hasina for the past 16 years,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>