Senior Bangladeshi politician burns Indian saree in call to boycott Indian goods
by ShravyaBNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi staged a symbolic protest by burning his wife’s Indian sari, urging a nationwide boycott of Indian products.
The incident took place in Bangladesh on December 5.
Visuals show Rizvi, assisted by an official, holding a saree and setting it on fire, while supporters and locals chanted anti-India slogans.
According to reports, during an event outside the National Press Club urging a boycott of Indian products, Rizvi spoke strongly about recent tensions. He alleged that India had disrespected Bangladesh’s flag and declared, “We will respond by boycotting Indian goods.”
Rizvi emphasised the unity of Bangladeshis, stating, “Our unity is as strong as steel. We respect India’s independence and flag, despite their disrespect towards ours. However, we will not support their products.”
The boycott call stemmed from an alleged incident in Agartala, India, where extremists reportedly attacked the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, damaging the flagpole and tearing down the Bangladeshi flag. Rizvi criticised this act, saying, “Why should we buy your products when you disrespect us? Bangladeshis are resilient; we won’t bow our heads.”
He further dismissed claims about dependency on Indian goods, stating that Bangladesh can produce enough essentials like ginger and onions domestically. Rizvi also addressed remarks about reliance on Indian healthcare, arguing that Bangladeshi patients pay for their treatments and highlighting the current lack of business at Kolkata’s New Market as an example of shifting dynamics.