On a humid July afternoon near Dhaka’s Mitford Hospital, the brutal murder of Md Sohag, alias Lal Chand, shattered more than a life — it fractured the fragile calm of a nation still wrestling with the scars of political upheaval. The blood spilled in those crowded streets sparked an outcry that transcended political divides, echoing across society with a unified demand for justice.

Yet amid the cries for truth, darker currents began to swirl. Genuine grief was swiftly hijacked by harsh, bitter slogans raised at university rallies — slogans not only demanding justice but casting venomous accusations at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman.

“Extortion collected in Paltan, share goes to London.”
“Jubo Dal kills — what does Tarique Rahman do?”

These words, heavy with accusation and carefully calibrated hostility, reverberated through Dhaka University, Jagannath University, BUET, and Eden Mohila College. They were not merely expressions of youthful outrage but the product of political choreography — general students, the supposed bearers of youthful idealism, seemingly compelled by party-affiliated student groups to voice attacks scripted by unseen hands.

Tarique Rahman — a man who has borne the weight of political exile, persecution, and personal loss during over fifteen years under the ousted Awami League’s autocratic rule — now stands at a pivotal juncture. From London, far removed from the streets where these slogans resound, he has devoted himself to purging corruption and violence from within the BNP, expelling thousands of members implicated in wrongdoing. In the aftermath of the Mitford murder, five Jubo Dal members were swiftly expelled for their alleged roles.

But these slogans are not spontaneous eruptions of frustration; they are weapons in a wider, calculated political campaign. BNP leaders see them as deliberate attempts to sully Tarique’s growing stature and undermine the party’s momentum ahead of critical elections. Tarique’s consistent calls for tolerance, unity, and lawfulness since the fall of the so-called “fascist” regime threaten vested interests determined to maintain the status quo.

In the maelstrom of social media misinformation and political machinations, the BNP finds itself under siege. The narrative of BNP as an extortionist cartel has been propagated relentlessly by rivals, amplified by digital echo chambers that fan public outrage with little regard for truth.

“Slowly, the invisible enemies are becoming visible,” Tarique warned recently at a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal event. “The conspiracy is not yet over.” His words lay bare a keen awareness of the shadows encroaching on his party’s future.

Despite internal challenges — factional tensions, leadership absences, and organizational strains — the BNP’s resolve remains firm. Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condemns the defamatory slogans as a deliberate political assault aimed at “destroying nationalist forces and annihilating Mr Tarique Rahman.”

The BNP’s condemnation of the Mitford killing is unequivocal. Fakhrul described the atrocity as a national wound and warned that failing to hold the perpetrators accountable would deepen a culture of impunity, threatening the hard-fought gains of the recent popular movement that toppled the previous government.

Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed rejects accusations that BNP is shirking responsibility. “We acted immediately,” he stated. “The enforcement of the law is now the government’s duty. It is regrettable that this tragedy is being exploited for political gain.”

Observers note Tarique’s remarkable transformation from an embattled exile to a mature, pragmatic leader. Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Nagorik Oikya remarks, “He has grown profoundly — blending humility with decisive leadership, embodying the qualities needed for the challenges ahead.”

International recognition follows. The Week magazine recently dubbed Tarique Rahman “Destiny’s Child,” praising his role in uniting the BNP and positioning it as the main challenger to the Awami League’s dominance.

Yet the shadow of conspiracy looms — a haunting legacy from the military-backed caretaker government era when fabricated charges aimed to sideline Tarique. None of these allegations survived scrutiny, but their ghost lingers, fueling today’s relentless campaigns to discredit him.

Meanwhile, government and rival factions seem to exploit tragedies like the Mitford murder, diverting attention and deepening societal divisions instead of pursuing justice.

Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan calls for calm reason: “The July Uprising was a collective struggle. Blaming an entire party is unjust. We must target the real culprits and preserve the unity forged in that movement.”

He cautions against divisive rhetoric: “Slogans should demand justice, not settle personal scores. The strength of the uprising lies in solidarity, not fracture.”

As Bangladesh stands at this fragile crossroads, the nation watches — suspended between shadows and light, haunted by past wounds yet yearning for hope. Tarique Rahman’s leadership, shaped and tested by exile and struggle, remains a beacon for many, even as political storms gather.

In this charged moment, the call for peace, justice, and unity rings louder than ever — a reminder that true healing begins when voices rise not to tear down, but to build together.