Jatiya Nagorik Party’s chief organizer for the southern region, Hasnat Abdullah, warned on Monday that any attempt to destabilize Bangladesh or undermine its elections by sheltering and training alleged conspirators abroad would be met with efforts to separate India’s Seven Sisters region.

He made the remarks at an all-party protest rally at the Shaheed Minar, organized by Inqilab Moncho in response to the attempted assassination of its spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

Hasnat accused unnamed actors of conspiring to create instability in Bangladesh and sabotage the electoral process by providing refuge and support across the border.

In his speech, Hasnat alleged that those who deny Bangladesh’s sovereignty, voting rights and human rights are being sheltered and encouraged, and claimed that similar support would be extended to separatist elements affecting India’s Seven Sister region in response.

He further alleged that India is backing conspirators by providing arms, funds and training to forces acting against Bangladesh, asserting that the country should no longer be described merely as a neighboring state and calling for what he described as a clearer stance.

Hasnat also criticized political actors he accused of aligning with New Delhi, saying a “third independence” would be achieved through resistance to such politics. Responding to comments by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin earlier in the day that described the attack on Hadi as an isolated incident, Hasnat strongly rejected the assessment. He said the commission treated human life as a statistic and accused the election body of lacking moral authority.

He further criticized the Election Commission’s handling of the incident and made remarks directed at election officials, while also calling for the removal of politically affiliated teachers from universities.

Addressing political parties and leaders, he urged those who did not attend the Shaheed Minar program not to be blinded by the pursuit of power, and warned participants against using the platform for political bargaining, saying such actions undermine national unity.

At the same event, National Citizen Party northern region chief organizer Sarjis Alam said relations between Bangladesh and India could not be normalized while India continued to shelter Sheikh Hasina, whom he accused, along with others, of responsibility for killings during the July uprising. He also claimed that if the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh failed to convey the demands of the Bangladeshi people to New Delhi, there would be no justification for its continued presence.

Sarjis further warned that any future attacks on the July movement or its activists would have consequences extending beyond Bangladesh’s borders, claiming such actions would resonate globally.