Prime Minister's Political Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today alleged that Indian policymakers deliberately arranged ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's media appearance in New Delhi on the anniversary of the July Uprising to "insult the martyrs of the movement".

"August 5 was the day Sheikh Hasina fell from power. On that day, a mass awakening and a great revolution took place in this country for democracy, for our right to take part in politics freely, for the people of this country to speak, and with a promise to protect our independence and sovereignty. Yet, on that very day, this programme, the press conference, was held in Delhi," Rizvi said after placing wreaths at the graves of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia this morning, marking the founding anniversary of the Doctors' Association of Bangladesh, a pro-BNP doctors' organisation.

"Sheikh Hasina was given the chance to speak in a highly planned and deliberate way. This was completely planned by Indian policymakers. In other words, Sheikh Hasina was allowed to speak to insult the martyrs of the great revolution. I strongly condemn and protest this hateful attempt," he added.

He said Hasina could be returned under the extradition treaty signed between Bangladesh and India in 2013.

"The government has sent a letter seeking her return. But no reply has been given to that letter. There is a law for sending back a fugitive accused, and both countries have signed it.

"Yet, instead of sending her back, she is being allowed to take part in politics. I think this is an insult to our national sovereignty," the BNP leader said.

Rizvi further said, "This insult comes from a neighbouring country that we call a friendly state. We should deal with each other on the basis of equal respect. But a fugitive accused was given the chance to present her political views, and this was done with the help of her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. This is very unfortunate."