Hasnat Abdullah, the southern chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has issued a warning that India’s northeastern states—collectively known as the “Seven Sisters”—could be separated if India continues to shelter separatists. He alleged that India is providing refuge and assistance to those involved in creating internal instability in Bangladesh and conspiring to sabotage elections. It was in this context that he made the remarks.

He made these comments on Monday (15 December) at an all-party rally held at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital. The rally was organised by Inquilab Mancha in protest against the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, a potential independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency.

At the rally, Hasnat Abdullah accused India of providing shelter, indulgence, and patronage to those who are creating disorder in Bangladesh, carrying out acts of terror, depriving people of their voting rights, and being involved in the killing of Hadi. According to him, these actions are aimed at destabilising the country and thwarting the election process.

Addressing India directly, he said that if India gives shelter to those who do not believe in Bangladesh’s sovereignty, voting rights, and human rights, then Bangladesh, too, would shelter India’s separatists and separate the Seven Sisters.

The NCP leader further claimed that under the patronage of Hasina, India has armed, funded, and trained a faction against Bangladesh. In his view, India can no longer be regarded merely as a “neighbouring country”; its position must be made clear.

Meanwhile, on the same day at another event, Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin described the attack on Hadi as an “isolated incident.” Reacting to this, Hasnat Abdullah said that to the Election Commission, people’s deaths are merely numbers. He described the commission’s remarks as a reflection of irresponsibility.