BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned to his homeland after spending nearly a decade and a half in exile in London. To catch a glimpse of their leader, party leaders and activists from across the country rushed to Dhaka by any means they could. Millions thronged the capital’s streets, turning roads and highways into seas of people. Joy and excitement swept through the crowd as supporters celebrated the leader’s return.
On Thursday, all roads in the city converged on the 300 Feet area on the capital’s outskirts, where a mass reception awaited Tarique Rahman. As readers go through this column today, newspapers remain filled with accounts of his emotional and significant speech.
After attending the reception, the acting chairman rushed to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to see his ailing mother, former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. When a son stands beside his sick mother after overcoming countless obstacles and returning from distant exile, sensitive minds can easily grasp the depth of that moment.
Tarique Rahman returned at a time when a long-awaited national election stands at the door. Campaigning has already begun across the country, while social media platforms buzz with unprecedented propaganda. The deadline to submit nomination papers is Dec 29, and scrutiny will end on Jan 4. Once candidacies become final, electioneering will intensify further.
Even so, doubts persist among the public over whether the 13th parliamentary election will take place on schedule. Many political leaders have warned of conspiracies to derail the polls, a concern that the BNP acting chairman has raised repeatedly.
Public anxiety has grown further following the shooting and death of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi on Dec 18. Many people now question whether an election can proceed amid such bloodshed. Some have even said an election cannot stand on the blood of martyr Hadi.
Violence following Hadi’s death included attacks, vandalism, arson and looting at the offices of two daily newspapers, as well as assaults on the premises of Chhayanaut and Udichi. These incidents point to a deepening social and political crisis. On the same day, assailants beat Dipu Chandra Das to death in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, over allegations of religious disrespect and later set his body on fire after hanging it from a tree. RAB investigations later found no evidence to support claims of religious defamation against him.
These developments suggest a calculated attempt by vested quarters to destabilise the country through remote control.
At the same time, certain groups appear determined to strain relations with neighbouring countries. Just as dominance or “big brother” behaviour under the guise of friendship remains unacceptable, efforts to block peaceful coexistence from the other side also deserve rejection. No matter how powerful, a neighbouring country has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of another sovereign state.
India is Bangladesh’s closest neighbour. Both countries are independent and sovereign, yet they face several unresolved bilateral issues, including water-sharing disputes, trade imbalances and the repatriation of convicted fugitives sheltering abroad. These matters demand diplomatic solutions. Political parties and civil society may pressure the government, but threats of seizing another country’s territory cross the bounds of civility.
Bangladesh must maintain relations with all countries — India, Pakistan, Myanmar or China — on the basis of dignity. The principle of “Bangladesh first” must guide national policy.
The current situation in the country remains turbulent. Many appear ready to exploit the chaos for personal gain. Public opinion has already split into two uneven streams. One stands firmly in favour of the Liberation War and represents the country’s mainstream majority. For them, independence earned through the blood of three million martyrs remains sacred. They carry the pride and pain of the 1971 Liberation War in their hearts.
Yet another small but highly active group has begun to assert itself. Skilled in mob politics and aggressive on social media, this group often misuses religion and spreads misinformation. Some of its voices openly incite violence against intellectuals, writers and artists. These are the same forces that attacked cultural institutions and newspapers — ideological heirs of those who brutally murdered intellectuals in 1971.
Against this backdrop, the importance of the upcoming election has multiplied. If pro-Liberation forces fragment or lose direction, the nation will suffer gravely. BNP remains the largest political force aligned with the spirit of independence and must play the leading role in uniting this public sentiment.
Tarique Rahman’s long absence abroad may have created internal challenges within the party. Multiple aspirants sought nominations in many constituencies, leaving some disappointed and angry. A few may contest as rebels or defect to other parties, potentially harming the party’s prospects. Direct engagement by the acting chairman with disgruntled candidates could ease tensions and restore unity.
Past actions by some grassroots BNP leaders have already damaged the party’s image. The leadership must remain cautious about those responsible. Reports from across the country suggest that in many constituencies, the main contest will be between the BNP’s Sheaf of Paddy and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Scales symbol. Jamaat candidates entered the race early and face little internal factionalism at the grassroots, which works in their favour.
Jamaat’s public support has grown compared with previous periods. However, recent events and anti–Liberation War remarks by some candidates have unsettled many supporters. As a result, the party’s eventual performance remains uncertain.
If BNP succeeds in regaining the trust of pro-Liberation forces at all levels, the spirit of 1971 will prevail — and Bangladesh will win. Through this election, the nation can secure an elected government that upholds the rule of law. Democracy will shine again.
The writer is a senior journalist and fiction writer.
