No river water, no Indian goods: Nahid Islam

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has warned that his party will oppose Indian goods, corridor and transit facilities unless Bangladesh receives its fair share of river water. He also objected to broadcasts of Indian television channels in Bangladesh.

He made the remarks as chief guest at the National Youth Conference 2026 at the Krishibid Institution auditorium in the capital on Sunday (1 November) afternoon. Jatiya Jubo Shakti, the NCP’s youth wing, organised the conference to mark National Youth Day.

Referring to the expiry of the Ganges water-sharing treaty in December, Nahid said Indian goods would not enter Bangladesh if water did not flow into the country. In that event, he said, his party would also oppose corridor and transit facilities and broadcasts of Indian channels.

Recalling Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani’s historic Farakka Long March, Nahid said they were ready to stage another long march if necessary.

Criticising the government’s economic management, the NCP convener claimed it was not receiving the response it expected despite approaching various countries for loans. He demanded that the government make public the details of the agreement with Japan on the Matarbari deep-sea port.

Nahid said the people would resist any attempt to give India unlawful corridor or transit facilities through such agreements.

Responding to a call to join discussions of the constitution amendment committee, he said discussions on reforms had concluded before the election. It was now time to implement the decisions, not hold fresh discussions.

Nahid demanded the immediate formation of a constitutional reform council to advance reforms in line with the referendum verdict. He warned that the people and opposition parties would not accept any failure to do so.

Expressing support for the ongoing workers’ movement, Nahid said workers were protesting for fair wages. He alleged that while government employees had received higher salaries and allowances, workers and private-sector employees had not received the same benefits. The NCP convener called for an end to this disparity and swift action to set fair wages for workers.

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain and Senior Joint Convener Nasiruddin Patwary attended the conference as special guests. Jatiya Jubo Shakti Convener Tariqul Islam chaired the event, which the organisation’s Member Secretary Farhad Sohel moderated.