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A seminar in New Delhi featuring several leaders of Bangladesh’s banned Awami League was cancelled after Delhi Police refused permission for the event at the last minute.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) said in a statement on Saturday evening that the seminar had to be cancelled because Delhi Police declined to grant permission.
The FCC had earlier promoted the seminar on its X account, publishing a leaflet detailing the topic and the scheduled speakers.
Among the speakers was Selim Mahmud, the Awami League’s information and research secretary. The party’s activities are currently banned in Bangladesh.
Human rights activists, researchers and former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri were also scheduled to speak at the seminar.
FCC General Secretary Prakash Nanda told BBC Bangla that police only informed them that the event could not be held. However, they refused to explain the specific reason for denying permission or stopping the event, he said.
Delhi Police has not issued an official statement. A senior police official, however, told BBC Bangla that police have the authority to cancel any event at any time if they fear it could lead to an unpleasant situation.
Attempts were made to contact several Awami League leaders for comment, but no response was received.
Earlier this month, on August 5, the FCC organised another seminar in Delhi, where Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the event virtually.
Her remarks triggered strong reactions in Dhaka and led to renewed tensions between Bangladesh and India.
BBC Bangla correspondent Shubhajyoti Ghosh, reporting from Delhi, said that following the August 5 incident, it appears Delhi may be reluctant to allow Awami League leaders to hold public events in the Indian capital.
Former Bangladeshi diplomats have expressed similar views. They believe Sheikh Hasina’s remarks at the earlier event further strained relations between Dhaka and Delhi, and that India therefore did not want another similar event to take place. Source BBC Bangla.