Farakka Day today

With holding different programmes by different organisations, the historic Farakka Long March Day will be observed today in the city and across the country with due respect.

On the day in 1976, the country’s legendary leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani led a massive Long March from Rajshahi towards India’s Farakka dam demanding demolition of the dam. The dam is located in West Bengal State of India nearby the border of Rajshahi.

The Indian government was constructing the dam violating the International River Law and denying Bangladesh to divert flow of Ganges waters inside its territory, triggering the drying up of river Padma and desertification of Bangladesh.

At that time Maulana Bhasani called the programme and formed a massive long march to the Farakka dam in India. The people of the country had responded to his call in the country’s interest. Thousands of the people participated in the long march forgetting all little political differences and expressed their demonstration against the dam by India.

The Long March was the first popular movement against India demanding a rightful distribution of the water of Ganges. Since then historic Farakka Long March Day is observed in the country on May 16 every year.

To mark the day, Bhasani Smriti Sangsad yesterday organised a discussion meeting at Bhasani Bhaban in the city where leaders of different political parties addressed.

Farakka Committee will form a human chain in front of the National Press Club in the city today at 10.00 am. A discussion will also be organised by the committee at the National Press Club at 11.00 am.

Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP) will hold a roundtable at the National Press Club tomorrow at 10.00 am marking the day.