Saturday, 27 December, 2025
Showered with love from party workers and supporters along the way, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the fallen heroes of the 1971 Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar on Friday night.
His journey to the memorial, which began shortly after 5pm from Zia Udyan, took around five hours due to the massive crowds lining the streets.
Tarique laid a wreath at the memorial around 10pm before entering the complex with senior party leaders to pay homage to the martyrs. Standing silently at the altar for several minutes, he observed a solemn moment of respect alongside the leaders.
Addressing those present, including members of law-enforcement agencies, Tarique expressed his gratitude for their patience.
“You waited for such a long time. I sincerely thank each one of you,” he said.
He then signed the visitors’ book at 10:37pm before departing in a red-and-green decorated bus under tight security, arriving at his Gulshan residence at 11:52pm.
Earlier in the day, Tarique had visited the grave of his father, BNP founder and former President Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar shortly before 4:45pm, accompanied by members of the BNP Standing Committee.
Setting off from his Gulshan residence at 2:52pm, his 8km journey took over two and a half hours due to the enormous crowds.
Massive throngs lined the route from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to Savar, waving flags and showering flowers.
Standing at the front of the bus adorned in the party’s red-and-green colours, Tarique waved back to supporters, who filled the streets chanting slogans and celebrating his return after more than 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom.
After attending Friday prayers, Tarique proceeded to Zia Udyan to pay homage at his father’s grave. With tear-filled eyes, he stood in silent tribute for nearly an hour as thousands of party workers and supporters looked on, subdued by grief and reverence.
He later continued his journey to Mirpur to honour the martyrs of the Great War of Independence, with roads along the route alive with people welcoming him back to the homeland.
At the National Martyrs’ Memorial, Tarique laid floral wreaths and paid respects to the freedom fighters who sacrificed everything for Bangladesh’s independence.
It is noteworthy that his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, was not only a sector commander during the Liberation War but also a decisive figure in proclaiming Bangladesh’s independence.
On 25 March 1971, when Pakistani forces launched brutal attacks across the country and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested, Bangladesh faced a critical leadership vacuum.
Amidst chaos and uncertainty, Major Ziaur Rahman boldly declared independence from Kalurghat Radio on 27 March, calling upon the Bengali people to resist the Pakistani occupation.
His leadership galvanized the nation and played a pivotal role in the eventual victory on 16 December. Historians contend that without Ziaur Rahman’s timely proclamation, the course of Bangladesh’s history could have been dramatically different.
Today, Ziaur Rahman’s name remains inseparably linked with Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom. As his son and Acting Chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman occupies a unique place in the hearts of freedom-loving Bangladeshis across the political spectrum.
This was evident in the historic reception he received in Dhaka’s 300 Feet area on Thursday, and in the overwhelming crowds who welcomed him during his journey on Friday, showering him with flowers, slogans, and unbridled admiration.
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Showered with love from party workers and supporters along the way, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the fallen heroes of the 1971 Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar on Friday night.
His journey to the memorial, which began shortly after 5pm from Zia Udyan, took around five hours due to the massive crowds lining the streets.
Tarique laid a wreath at the memorial around 10pm before entering the complex with senior party leaders to pay homage to the martyrs. Standing silently at the altar for several minutes, he observed a solemn moment of respect alongside the leaders.
Addressing those present, including members of law-enforcement agencies, Tarique expressed his gratitude for their patience.
“You waited for such a long time. I sincerely thank each one of you,” he said.
He then signed the visitors’ book at 10:37pm before departing in a red-and-green decorated bus under tight security, arriving at his Gulshan residence at 11:52pm.
Earlier in the day, Tarique had visited the grave of his father, BNP founder and former President Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar shortly before 4:45pm, accompanied by members of the BNP Standing Committee.
Setting off from his Gulshan residence at 2:52pm, his 8km journey took over two and a half hours due to the enormous crowds.
Massive throngs lined the route from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to Savar, waving flags and showering flowers.
Standing at the front of the bus adorned in the party’s red-and-green colours, Tarique waved back to supporters, who filled the streets chanting slogans and celebrating his return after more than 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom.
After attending Friday prayers, Tarique proceeded to Zia Udyan to pay homage at his father’s grave. With tear-filled eyes, he stood in silent tribute for nearly an hour as thousands of party workers and supporters looked on, subdued by grief and reverence.
He later continued his journey to Mirpur to honour the martyrs of the Great War of Independence, with roads along the route alive with people welcoming him back to the homeland.
At the National Martyrs’ Memorial, Tarique laid floral wreaths and paid respects to the freedom fighters who sacrificed everything for Bangladesh’s independence.
It is noteworthy that his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, was not only a sector commander during the Liberation War but also a decisive figure in proclaiming Bangladesh’s independence.
On 25 March 1971, when Pakistani forces launched brutal attacks across the country and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested, Bangladesh faced a critical leadership vacuum.
Amidst chaos and uncertainty, Major Ziaur Rahman boldly declared independence from Kalurghat Radio on 27 March, calling upon the Bengali people to resist the Pakistani occupation.
His leadership galvanized the nation and played a pivotal role in the eventual victory on 16 December. Historians contend that without Ziaur Rahman’s timely proclamation, the course of Bangladesh’s history could have been dramatically different.
Today, Ziaur Rahman’s name remains inseparably linked with Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom. As his son and Acting Chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman occupies a unique place in the hearts of freedom-loving Bangladeshis across the political spectrum.
This was evident in the historic reception he received in Dhaka’s 300 Feet area on Thursday, and in the overwhelming crowds who welcomed him during his journey on Friday, showering him with flowers, slogans, and unbridled admiration.
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