Hasanath Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (South), alleged that India is harboring around 30,000 Awami League-linked militants without passports or visas. Speaking at a roadside rally in Fultali village of Debidwar, Cumilla, on December 17, he claimed that India provides training and protection to these individuals before sending them back to Bangladesh to commit crimes. Hasanath criticized what he described as an unequal friendship between Dhaka and New Delhi. He further argued that India’s cultural influence through films and television has made Bangladesh overly dependent, calling instead for national self-reliance. Hasanath accused India of labeling Bangladeshi Muslims as extremists and blamed the Awami League for fostering a submissive relationship with India. His remarks come amid heightened political rhetoric ahead of national elections, though Indian or Awami League officials have not responded to the allegations. Analysts suggest such statements reflect growing nationalist sentiment among smaller political groups seeking to challenge the ruling party’s foreign policy stance.