BJP MP Calls for Bringing Noakhali, Chattogram Port and Sylhet Under India’s Control

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Nishikant Dubey has called for bringing Bangladesh’s Noakhali, Chattogram Port and Sylhet regions under India’s control again. He said it was time to “reclaim” these territories, alongside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Dubey made the remarks in an interview with Indian news agency ANI on Friday, November 6.

The BJP MP claimed that India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, had handed over Noakhali, Chattogram and Sylhet to Pakistan during the partition of the subcontinent. He also claimed that these areas were once part of the princely state of Tripura.

Dubey said the time had come to reclaim not only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir but also Noakhali, Chattogram Port and Sylhet, which he alleged had been handed over during Nehru’s tenure.

He further claimed that Tripura’s then ruler, Bir Bikram Singh, had questioned Nehru over how parts of his state could be handed over to Pakistan and how referendums could be arranged in Sylhet and Chattogram.

Referring to Tripura’s accession to India, Dubey said Maharani Kanchan Prabha signed the Instrument of Accession in October 1948, bringing Tripura into the Indian Union.

The BJP lawmaker also referred to the communal violence in Noakhali in 1946. He alleged that Nehru had prioritised bringing the Muslim League into his government rather than addressing the violence. Dubey claimed that around 10,000 Hindus were killed during the violence.

Highlighting the strategic importance of Chattogram Port, Dubey argued that the loss of control over the port had hindered the development of India’s northeastern region. He said access to the port was important for improving connectivity and utilising the region’s mineral and gas resources.

Dubey also questioned the Congress party’s role, referring to Baharul Islam, who was involved in conducting the Sylhet referendum.

His remarks came after Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, founder of Tripura-based political party Tipra Motha, expressed dissatisfaction over the territorial arrangements involving the former princely state of Tripura during partition.

It should be noted that Dubey’s statements represent his own claims. The historical assertions and the territorial status of the regions during partition require independent verification.