Farakka March at 50: Fresh Diplomatic Push Urged for River Water Equity
Civil society leaders in Bangladesh on Saturday called for robust diplomatic efforts to secure a fair share of water from the Ganga and Teesta rivers, urging the government to abandon unilateral policies. They emphasized that the Farakka Barrage in India has severely impacted river navigability in Bangladesh, threatening agriculture, irrigation, and the environment, particularly across the northern regions. The demands were made at a human chain demonstration in front of the National Parliament House on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, marking the 50th anniversary of the historic Farakka Long March and advocating for equitable water rights and respectful coexistence.
Shamsul Huda, Executive Director of the Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), presented a written statement during the event, highlighting the destructive consequences of the Farakka Barrage. He characterized the barrage as a “death trap” for both Bangladesh and India, explaining that it leads to severe water scarcity in Bangladeshi rivers during the dry season, causing them to lose navigability. This has exacerbated salinity in key rivers like the Padma, Mahananda, Punarbhaba, and Atrai across the northern and southwestern parts of the country, intensifying crises in agriculture and irrigation and accelerating environmental degradation.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Huda pointed out that despite the 1996 Ganga Treaty, Bangladesh has yet to receive its equitable share of water. He stressed the urgent need to ensure the natural flow of rivers in accordance with international law and called for the implementation of an “effective and environmentally sound” water agreement. As part of a comprehensive appeal, civil society representatives presented a 10-point list of demands to the government, which included declaring May 16, the anniversary of the Farakka Long March, as “National Water Rights Day.”
Kajal Debnath, President of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, urged the government to play a stronger role in securing Bangladesh’s fair share of Ganga water. “We demand our rightful share of Ganga water,” he stated, advocating for intensified diplomatic efforts with India based on international law. Manindra Kumar Nath, acting general secretary of the council, underscored the necessity for strong and sincere international actions by the government to avert a humanitarian crisis.
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Zakir Hossain, Executive Director of Nagorik Uddyog, emphasized the importance of extensive consultation with river experts, environmentalists, and local communities when implementing major projects such as the Teesta Master Plan and the Padma Barrage, cautioning against unilateral decision-making. He also called for the formation of a task force to combat river encroachment and pollution.
The human chain was attended by a broad coalition of organizations, including Bonlota Nari Unnayan Sangstha, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, National Workers’ Unity Centre, along with various other human rights, land and water rights, civil rights, and environmental groups. Among those who also spoke were Ranjan Karmakar, Executive Director of Step Towards; Sultana Begum, President of Green Bangla Garments Workers Federation; Padmabati Devi, Organizational Secretary of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council; agriculturalist Harunur Rashid; Humayun Kabir, Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon; Ibanul Saeed, spokesperson for Pran, Prokriti, Poribesh O Protibesh; and journalist Abu Sayeed Khan.
Participants displayed placards bearing slogans such as “Bangladesh will survive if rivers survive, the golden land will be filled with crops,” “Upstream dams, downstream tears, no more injustice,” “We want an international commission to assess the adverse effects of Farakka Barrage,” “Demand of downstream people: restore river flow, restore life,” and “Save rivers, save the country, demolish Farakka Barrage.”
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