Friday, 26 December, 2025
After ending a painful 17-year exile, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday returned to the country’s political centre stage, vowing to build a justice-based and secure Bangladesh while warning that “hegemonic forces” remain active and conspiratorial.
Addressing a mammoth rally at the capital’s Purbachal 300-Foot area—described by observers as one of the largest public gatherings in Bangladesh’s history—Tarique Rahman called for unity, restraint and collective responsibility to restore democracy, peace and public order.
“We want to build a safe Bangladesh founded on justice,” he said with firm resolve. “But hegemonic forces are still active. That is why we must remain united and uphold law and order at any cost.”
Speaking to an ocean of supporters stretching as far as the eye could see, he urged people from “the hills to the plains”, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or faith, to work together to protect the country’s sovereignty and democratic future. “Conspiracies have not ended,” he cautioned. “Only unity can defeat them.”
‘I have a plan’
Drawing a deliberate parallel with the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech of US civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, Tarique Rahman told the crowd:
“Today, standing on the soil of Bangladesh, I say this as a member of the BNP: I have a plan—for my country and for my people.”
He described the plan as people-centric, aimed at restoring rights, ensuring development and transforming the lives of ordinary citizens. Its success, he stressed, would depend on mass participation and cooperation across democratic forces.
“If you stand by us and support us, Insha’Allah, we will be able to implement this plan,” he said, calling on political activists and citizens alike to commit themselves to peaceful nation-building.
Repeatedly emphasising calm and discipline, Tarique Rahman warned against provocation and disorder.
“We want peace. We want security. We must show patience and restraint,” he said, urging supporters to safeguard stability during a sensitive political moment.
A historic homecoming
Millions of people gathered under tight security from the early hours of the day, braving biting cold to welcome the BNP leader on his return. Party workers and supporters travelled from distant districts, turning the area into a festive sea of red and green.
Security officials said the crowd continued to swell despite the freezing temperatures. When Tarique Rahman finally took the stage, silence descended on the vast assembly.
Earlier in the morning, he landed in Dhaka at around 11:30am. In a symbolic gesture, he took a handful of native soil in his hands upon stepping off the aircraft, an image that quickly resonated with supporters. Rejecting a pre-arranged armoured vehicle, he instead boarded a red-and-green painted car and made his way slowly through dense crowds to the rally venue.
Observers said the scale and emotion of the gathering marked a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s political history.
Exile and resistance
Tarique Rahman’s return follows years of enforced exile during the tenure of the Awami League government, a period his supporters describe as marked by politically motivated cases, persecution and attacks.
Forced to remain in London, he nonetheless stayed actively involved in party affairs through digital platforms, regularly addressing BNP leaders and activists.
Analysts noted his continued engagement played a central role in sustaining opposition momentum, culminating in the mass uprising of July 2024 that ultimately forced then prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country.
Democracy, inclusion and security
In his speech, Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and those who lost their lives during the July uprising, recalling a continuum of struggle—from the anti-autocracy movement of 1990 to the student-led protests of 2024—to protect Bangladesh’s freedom and sovereignty.
He presented a vision of an inclusive, pluralistic society where Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and indigenous communities could live together in safety and dignity.
“We want a Bangladesh where a woman, a man, a child—everyone—can leave home safely and return home safely,” he said.
Highlighting women, youth and marginalised groups, he said the aspirations of more than four crore young people, millions of women, children, farmers, workers and persons with disabilities could only be fulfilled through unity and democratic governance.
He described the younger generation as the key instrument of future nation-building, urging them to shoulder responsibility with courage and discipline.
Call for calm
Concluding his address, Tarique Rahman renewed his appeal for peace and order, urging citizens to reject chaos and provocation. “Let us take a solemn pledge to build the Bangladesh we aspire to,” he said.
Framing the moment as a clear political choice, his message was unmistakable: a justice-based democratic future, or continued submission to hegemonic control.
For his supporters, Thursday’s rally signalled not just a return, but the opening of a decisive new chapter in Bangladesh’s political struggle.
“We want a Bangladesh where a woman, a man, a child—everyone—can leave home safely and return home safely,” he said.
From the Soil of Home to His Mother
Tarique Rahman stepped off the aircraft into the biting cold, setting foot once again on his motherland. In his hands, he held a handful of native soil, a symbolic gesture as if drawing in the very essence of his homeland. Under tight security, he then made his way to the Purbachal 300-Foot area, where millions of leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens had braved the freezing night, eager for a glimpse of their long-awaited leader.
Observers described it as one of the largest public gatherings in the nation’s history. Navigating through the vast crowd and taking his place on stage took considerable time for the BNP acting chairman before he later returned to his Gulshan residence at 8:00 PM.
Exhausted yet visibly moved, Tarique Rahman finally addressed the sea of people. As far as the eye could see, there were only people—endless crowds filling the space. The moment he spoke, an uncanny silence enveloped the assembly of nearly fifty million, a gathering so unprecedented that it recalled the historic rallies of Martin Luther King Jr., whose memory Tarique invoked during his address.
He also spoke briefly of his ailing mother, former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, currently receiving treatment in hospital.
“As a son, my heart lies beside my mother’s bedside,” he said, appealing to the nation for prayers for her recovery. Later, he left for Evercare Hospital to visit her in person.
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After ending a painful 17-year exile, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday returned to the country’s political centre stage, vowing to build a justice-based and secure Bangladesh while warning that “hegemonic forces” remain active and conspiratorial.
Addressing a mammoth rally at the capital’s Purbachal 300-Foot area—described by observers as one of the largest public gatherings in Bangladesh’s history—Tarique Rahman called for unity, restraint and collective responsibility to restore democracy, peace and public order.
“We want to build a safe Bangladesh founded on justice,” he said with firm resolve. “But hegemonic forces are still active. That is why we must remain united and uphold law and order at any cost.”
Speaking to an ocean of supporters stretching as far as the eye could see, he urged people from “the hills to the plains”, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or faith, to work together to protect the country’s sovereignty and democratic future. “Conspiracies have not ended,” he cautioned. “Only unity can defeat them.”
‘I have a plan’
Drawing a deliberate parallel with the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech of US civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, Tarique Rahman told the crowd:
“Today, standing on the soil of Bangladesh, I say this as a member of the BNP: I have a plan—for my country and for my people.”
He described the plan as people-centric, aimed at restoring rights, ensuring development and transforming the lives of ordinary citizens. Its success, he stressed, would depend on mass participation and cooperation across democratic forces.
“If you stand by us and support us, Insha’Allah, we will be able to implement this plan,” he said, calling on political activists and citizens alike to commit themselves to peaceful nation-building.
Repeatedly emphasising calm and discipline, Tarique Rahman warned against provocation and disorder.
“We want peace. We want security. We must show patience and restraint,” he said, urging supporters to safeguard stability during a sensitive political moment.
A historic homecoming
Millions of people gathered under tight security from the early hours of the day, braving biting cold to welcome the BNP leader on his return. Party workers and supporters travelled from distant districts, turning the area into a festive sea of red and green.
Security officials said the crowd continued to swell despite the freezing temperatures. When Tarique Rahman finally took the stage, silence descended on the vast assembly.
Earlier in the morning, he landed in Dhaka at around 11:30am. In a symbolic gesture, he took a handful of native soil in his hands upon stepping off the aircraft, an image that quickly resonated with supporters. Rejecting a pre-arranged armoured vehicle, he instead boarded a red-and-green painted car and made his way slowly through dense crowds to the rally venue.
Observers said the scale and emotion of the gathering marked a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s political history.
Exile and resistance
Tarique Rahman’s return follows years of enforced exile during the tenure of the Awami League government, a period his supporters describe as marked by politically motivated cases, persecution and attacks.
Forced to remain in London, he nonetheless stayed actively involved in party affairs through digital platforms, regularly addressing BNP leaders and activists.
Analysts noted his continued engagement played a central role in sustaining opposition momentum, culminating in the mass uprising of July 2024 that ultimately forced then prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country.
Democracy, inclusion and security
In his speech, Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and those who lost their lives during the July uprising, recalling a continuum of struggle—from the anti-autocracy movement of 1990 to the student-led protests of 2024—to protect Bangladesh’s freedom and sovereignty.
He presented a vision of an inclusive, pluralistic society where Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and indigenous communities could live together in safety and dignity.
“We want a Bangladesh where a woman, a man, a child—everyone—can leave home safely and return home safely,” he said.
Highlighting women, youth and marginalised groups, he said the aspirations of more than four crore young people, millions of women, children, farmers, workers and persons with disabilities could only be fulfilled through unity and democratic governance.
He described the younger generation as the key instrument of future nation-building, urging them to shoulder responsibility with courage and discipline.
Call for calm
Concluding his address, Tarique Rahman renewed his appeal for peace and order, urging citizens to reject chaos and provocation. “Let us take a solemn pledge to build the Bangladesh we aspire to,” he said.
Framing the moment as a clear political choice, his message was unmistakable: a justice-based democratic future, or continued submission to hegemonic control.
For his supporters, Thursday’s rally signalled not just a return, but the opening of a decisive new chapter in Bangladesh’s political struggle.
“We want a Bangladesh where a woman, a man, a child—everyone—can leave home safely and return home safely,” he said.
From the Soil of Home to His Mother
Tarique Rahman stepped off the aircraft into the biting cold, setting foot once again on his motherland. In his hands, he held a handful of native soil, a symbolic gesture as if drawing in the very essence of his homeland. Under tight security, he then made his way to the Purbachal 300-Foot area, where millions of leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens had braved the freezing night, eager for a glimpse of their long-awaited leader.
Observers described it as one of the largest public gatherings in the nation’s history. Navigating through the vast crowd and taking his place on stage took considerable time for the BNP acting chairman before he later returned to his Gulshan residence at 8:00 PM.
Exhausted yet visibly moved, Tarique Rahman finally addressed the sea of people. As far as the eye could see, there were only people—endless crowds filling the space. The moment he spoke, an uncanny silence enveloped the assembly of nearly fifty million, a gathering so unprecedented that it recalled the historic rallies of Martin Luther King Jr., whose memory Tarique invoked during his address.
He also spoke briefly of his ailing mother, former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, currently receiving treatment in hospital.
“As a son, my heart lies beside my mother’s bedside,” he said, appealing to the nation for prayers for her recovery. Later, he left for Evercare Hospital to visit her in person.
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