Agartala: Amid opposition and criticism from various quarters, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar left for Dhaka on Tuesday morning on a Bangladesh Biman plane from Kolkata to receive honour for his contribution in 1971 Bangladesh liberation war.
Congress workers showed black flag to Sarkar in Agartala airport on Monday evening when he was approaching the domestic terminal for boarding a Kolkata-bound flight.
Inclusion of Sarkar in the honour list evoked controversy in both Tripura and Bangladesh among political parties, civil society organisations, intellectuals and the families of Bangladesh freedom fighters.
Leader of the opposition Ratan Lal Nath alleged neither Manik Sarkar nor CPM had any role in 1971 war rather they opposed the move supporting Chinese stand. But now CPM party had been trying to distort the history and hijack the credit of Tripura people who had spent sleepless night and sheltered 16 lakh Bangladeshis during the war.
The state CPI-M spokesperson stated that the national committee for selection of persons to be honoured had selected Sarkar after considering all pros and corn and future relationship of both the countries.
“This is the prerogative of Bangladesh to select the persons for honouring and raising question against any such foreign decision is not praiseworthy for any party or organisation,” he said.
However, Manik Sarkar had stated in the just concluded Assembly that he did not have any mentionable role in Bangladesh Liberation War and made it clear, “I am going to recognise the contribution of the people of Tripura in 1971 war and I don’t feel it is the right forum to explain in detail my contribution. They invited me and my country permitted me to accept the invitation.”
Sarkar also maintained that the controversy over the role of any individual in liberation war or to advice a good neighbour to recognise others contribution from the state was not decent on the part of any state government in any country because this was an internal decision of the sovereign country.
Sarkar is among the 132 foreign personalities, including 47 Indians, the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League Government would felicitate for their contribution in creation of sovereign Bangladesh.
The programme would mark the commemoration of the neighbouring country’s 40 years of independence.
Besides, Manik Sarkar, son of the then Chief Minister Sachindra Lal Singha, Maharani Bibhukumari Devi of Tripura royal house, former superintendent of GB hospital and renowned surgeon Rathin Datta were honoured in the ceremonial function in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman conferred the honour to foreign friends of Bangladesh, including 47 Indians. (UNI)