Khaleda Zia, former Bangladesh prime minister used to say, we have friends abroad, not masters. The simple yet the profound lines aligned with the basic principle of a sovereign country with immense pride.

She was a proud torch-bearer of her late husband, Ziaur Rahman, a modern statesman, who firmly believed in this principle and formed SAARC, a regional alliance. Unfortunately, the effects of SAARC waned gradually and India, the behemoth in this part of the world became ever so aggressive with the horrific rise of Hindutva.

But now Khaleda’s sage is even more important for Bangladesh. And after the farcical election it is time to remind ourselves that strongly.

Ruling Awami League has proved it is ready to kowtow to the foreign powers for the sake of clinging to power and despite much hullabaloo from Western powerhouses, the one-sided election could not be stopped. The humanitarian situation is abysmal and one may fear that things will be tougher for dissenters in the forthcoming days.

Some of the people, claiming themselves as the anti-government, put all their bets on the Western powers and raised false hope among people. Things got rather awkward when they even restrained themselves from criticizing the US for being complicit in the ongoing massacre of the Palestine people.

With the help of the media, they started to create a vibe that the foreign involvement is the only way for people to get rid of tyrannical rule. But, as history suggests, people’s power is the ultimate force for political change and the foreign aid comes with unwanted baggage.

Over the years it is seen Awami League is completely submissive to the powerful neighbours and its propaganda machine manufactured a narrative that the people of Bangladesh are eternally in debt to India for its role in the Liberation War. This claim not only undermines the heroism of the people in this country who gave their all for freedom but also creates an inferiority complex.

So, what should be the strategy? Look at the Palestinian people, the most self-esteemed bunch in the world. They are being killed, looted and uprooted for over 75 years but they did not bow down. Thanks to the globalized and well-connected world, the support for their fight among people is rising.

While the governments in the Western countries are shamelessly endorsing the massacre, most of the masses are protesting against it. Bangladesh people need the same kind of harmony with the rest of the world and especially against the neighbours.

It may take years to topple down the tyrant but that should not be done by selling the pride of the nation and its people.

It is high time we remember the words – We have friends abroad, not masters.

The Boxer: The author is one of the indefatigable working-class Bangladeshis who have been trying to change the fate of the nation but were betrayed by the ruling elites and autocrats. The name is inspired by a character in George Orwell's 1945 novel Animal Farm.