Maintain peace at all costs: Tarique Rahman

On his historic return from London on Tuesday after 17 years in exile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman outlined his vision for a developed and prosperous Bangladesh, calling for collective efforts from all and urging the nation to maintain peace and order at any cost.

“We want peace. We want to build a safe Bangladesh for all. We must remain calm and patient in the face of any provocation,” he said while addressing a massive public gathering at the July 36 Expressway in the capital.

He added, “Let us pledge to work together to build the Bangladesh we all aspire to.”

Invoking the famous “I Have a Dream” speech by US civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, Tarique Rahman said, “I have a plan for the people of my country and for my country.”

He sought cooperation from people of all walks of life to realise his vision of a safe and inclusive Bangladesh where citizens of all castes, creeds, and faiths can live in peace.

In his speech, Tarique Rahman recalled the long history of struggles and sacrifices that shaped Bangladesh, from the 1971 Liberation War to the mass uprising of 2024.

“Our beloved motherland was won through the blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs during the Liberation War of 1971,” he said.

He also referenced the November 7, 1975 Sepoy–People’s Revolution, the 1990 anti-autocracy movement, and the August 5, 2024 uprising, describing them as landmark struggles to safeguard the country’s freedom and sovereignty.

“In 2024, students and people from all walks of life once again protected the independence and sovereignty of this country,” he said.

Tarique Rahman noted that the people of Bangladesh now want to reclaim their democratic rights and freedom of expression.

“Today, people want fair opportunities based on merit. Now is the time for everyone to come together to rebuild the country,” he said.

Presenting a vision of a pluralistic and inclusive society, he spoke of building a safe Bangladesh through the collective participation of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and people from both the hills and plains.

“We want a Bangladesh where a woman, a man, or a child can safely leave home and return home safely, Insha’Allah,” he said.

He highlighted the hopes and aspirations of various segments of the population — women, more than four crore youths, around five crore children, nearly 40 lakh persons with disabilities, and crores of farmers and labourers — and said unity was the key to fulfilling those expectations.

“If we stand united, all these aspirations can be realised,” he added.

Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War, those who lost their lives over the past 15 years, and the victims of the 2024 movement, specifically remembering Shaheed Osman Hadi.

“If we are to repay the debt of their blood, we must build the Bangladesh they dreamed of,” he said.

Describing the youth as the main driving force of nation-building, he said, “Members of the younger generation will lead the country in the days ahead. This responsibility must be taken up by the youth from today.”

He emphasised the need to build Bangladesh on a strong democratic and economic foundation.

Referring to the illness of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman said, “As a son, my heart is beside my mother’s hospital bed.”

However, he added that he could not turn away from the people for whom Khaleda Zia had devoted her entire life, which was why he had come to express his gratitude to the public before visiting the hospital.

He once again urged people from all sections of society to maintain peace and order at any cost, avoid chaos, and exercise patience.

“Our wish should be that every child, woman, man — regardless of age, class, profession, or religion — remains safe,” he said.

He concluded by calling on the nation to remain united and take a solemn pledge to build the country through collective effort.