Irish playwright Samuel Beckett remains legendary for his play ‘Waiting for Godot’. In it, the main characters, Vladimir and Estragon, stand beneath a solitary tree by a deserted road, trapped in endless, uncertain waiting. They have no companions, no clear purpose, no direction, and no certainty of help. It is a stark portrayal of a disoriented, empty society.
Much like these characters, the people of Bangladesh today seem to exist in a limbo of despair and uncertainty — leaderless, helpless, and adrift. Beckett penned his masterpiece in 1948, and it has since resonated with audiences worldwide.
However, decades later, it appears that Bangladeshis may finally know whom they have been waiting for — a figure of hope, destined to be the champion of the nation’s economic, social, political, and moral emancipation.
Since its birth in 1971, Bangladesh’s journey has been anything but stable. Often it has been marked by ridicule, neglect, and betrayal. Yet the nation has repeatedly broken its shackles — most decisively in 1971. Still, crises have re-emerged over time. On 5 August 2024, another moment of national awakening seemed to take shape. The people stood united, ready to face collective challenges. What remained was the question: who would lead the charge?
Throughout history, a few figures have risen with promise, but true liberation has remained elusive. Instead, familiar demons have returned in new guises, ravaging the country time and again. And so, the nation continues to resemble Vladimir and Estragon — trapped in cycles of hope and futility.
2. The Path Not Taken
Former US President Donald Trump saw himself as a messenger of peace, lamenting that few would credit him despite resolving several global issues — he sought, in effect, a Nobel Peace Prize. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convinced of his divine calling, reminded the public countless times that he was sent by God. Similarly, Sheikh Hasina grew to believe she alone held the right to rule Bangladesh — the birthright of her father’s legacy. In her mind, she was both owner and saviour of the nation. And thus began the crisis.
Some, however, choose a different path. A few months ago, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman made a rare request to his party activists:
"As your leader, I instruct you — from now on, please refrain from calling me by titles such as 'national leader' or 'statesman'. This is my request and directive."
This, notably, was after the 5 August uprising — a moment he could have seized with a massive political manoeuvre, rallying his widespread support base to claim power. Given his political acumen and popularity, such a move would not have been inconceivable. Even today, it remains within his reach. And yet, he chooses restraint.
History suggests others in his place would not have shown such forbearance.
Who is Tarique Rahman? The son of a former President and a three-time Prime Minister. It is, therefore, only natural that he thinks and acts differently. He understands the importance of dignity, restraint, and refinement. That is the true essence of politics and democracy.
3. Leadership Beyond Borders
Since its founding on 1 September 1978, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been widely regarded as a party of the people. Otherwise, how could it retain such sky-high popularity even after 17 years out of power? Its leaders and activists continue to face jail, harassment, and persecution, yet remain energised — because the party has clear leadership, vision, and purpose.
Then why is its current leader based abroad? The answer lies in the backlash following the military-backed 1/11 regime. He travelled abroad for medical reasons, only for the path home to be blocked by the Awami League government after assuming power. Since 2010, the Bangladesh High Commission has refused to renew his passport. Even when he reapplied in 2014, the then Director General of Immigration advised him to use a travel pass instead.
If some argue that Tarique Rahman is now a political asylum seeker in the UK, he is hardly the first or only one. Political science professors Abel Escribà-Folch and Daniel Krcmaric document that between 1946 and 2012, more than 180 heads of state or government were forced into exile.
So why is he a figure of such attention now? Because he continues to express interest in, and commitment to, standing beside the people. In 2020, on the 84th birth anniversary of the late President Ziaur Rahman, he introduced the slogan Take Back Bangladesh. He later proposed a 31-point framework for state reform and extended support to those affected by the July uprising.
On 23 April this year, during a virtual workshop with northern district activists, he stated:
"A divided nation cannot progress. We will not distinguish by religion; we will see each other as Bangladeshis. We must build a land of harmony for all faiths."
He also acknowledged that many capable individuals — often with broad acceptance — are unwilling to enter formal politics due to security concerns and targeted defamation by the previous regime. Tarique Rahman declared that the BNP would create space for such individuals to contribute to national development.
If he proceeds in this spirit, staying true to his past commitments, the people of Bangladesh — weary and wandering like Beckett’s protagonists — may finally find the leader they’ve been waiting for.
The author is a poet and fiction writer.
