In a bold show of defiance, Bangladesh’s leftist factions united in Dhaka to denounce the US trade deal as profoundly unequal and anti-national. The agreement, inked on February 9 during the interim government’s tenure, has been met with calls for outright repeal amid fears it compromises the country’s independence.
Friday’s joint rally at the National Museum drew sharp criticism from key organizations like the Student Union, Jubo Union, and Udichi Shilpigoshthi. Participants labeled it a ‘slavery treaty,’ cautioning against schemes to privatize ports and other vital infrastructure to overseas players.
Speaking to the crowd, Student Union leader Bahauddin Shuvo pointed to Bangladesh’s unhindered Russian oil purchases as evidence of hypocritical US influence. He rallied the public: ‘We must collect opinions against this flawed pact and pressure authorities to withdraw it, or face economic, commercial, and diplomatic crises.’
Jubo Union’s Khan Asaduzzaman Masum leveled explosive allegations at Yunus, claiming his rise from a ‘violent 2024 revolt’ masked a pro-US agenda. ‘Almost 18 months in, he arranged massive tax exemptions for his nonprofit and signed sovereignty-eroding accords before exiting,’ Masum said, rejecting the deal outright.
Udichi’s Amit Ranjan Dey exposed the interim government’s flurry of 14 detrimental agreements. ‘High-priced poor-quality wheat, US veto on fuel— this is outright subjugation,’ he warned, emphasizing the pact’s potential to devastate ordinary lives across Bangladesh.
As tensions simmer, these demonstrations underscore a broader resistance to perceived foreign overreach, challenging the new leadership to prioritize Bangladeshi interests over international pressures.
