Martin Luther King Jr, a unique symbol of civil rights movements worldwide, once said, “I Have a Dream.” Tarique Rahman has said, “I Have a Plan.” The difference between these two statements is not merely semantic; they reflect the realities of two very different moments in history. Martin Luther King’s “dream” was born out of the struggle against racial discrimination, while the “plan” emerges at a moment when the very integrity of the state is at risk.
Today’s Bangladesh is passing through a phase where politics driven by emotion and inspiration alone is no longer sufficient. What is needed is a concrete strategy to preserve the state, clear planning, and the capacity to manage risks. From this perspective, Tarique Rahman’s declaration—“I Have a Plan”—is not an emotional political slogan. It is a strategic announcement aimed at safeguarding the state of Bangladesh.
There is no scope to deny the security risks facing present-day Bangladesh. The country is now operating within a high-risk political and security environment. Political instability, administrative bias, a weakened rule of law and deep-seated social resentment have together created a volatile situation.
The administration has long been questioned over allegations of partisan loyalty. Public confidence in the neutrality of law enforcement agencies has eroded. Confusion and controversy surrounding judicial decisions are increasing. The media is divided—one section echoes the language of power, while another raises the voice of resistance.
Over the past 17 years, the electoral system was effectively dismantled. Although the brutal fascist forces were ousted through the mass uprising of students and citizens in 2024, the pressures of the time mean the electoral system remains fragile. At the centre of all this lies long-suppressed public anger, now erupting in mob violence and enabling the open resurgence of extremist threats.
In such circumstances, the security of a senior political leader is no longer a personal matter; it becomes a national security issue. Today, Tarique Rahman is not merely a political figure—he represents a balance of power and an inevitable focal point of the future state structure. A harsh reality of political science is that when an individual becomes the ultimate “alternative”, that person faces the greatest risk. In Bangladesh’s current context, these risks are not only physical but also political, institutional and strategic.
For this reason, the declaration “I Have a Plan” was inevitable. Bangladesh is no longer a landscape sustained by dreams alone. It requires an operational blueprint—one that defines how the state will function, who will be responsible for what, who will be accountable to whom, and how effective coordination between politics and administration will be ensured. This plan is essentially a state reset plan, aimed at restoring the balance of power, reviving the effectiveness of constitutional institutions, and bringing the state back within a framework governed by rules.
Democracy is often viewed merely as a set of political rights. Yet another fundamental component of democracy is its stability mechanism. Without democracy, the state becomes unstable; instability breeds violence, extremism rises, foreign influence becomes easier, and both border and internal security weaken. The core objective of Tarique Rahman’s plan is therefore not political power, but institutional stability. Strong and neutral institutions are what ultimately keep a state secure.
In today’s Bangladesh, elections are no longer just a political process; they have become a national security flashpoint. When elections are not free and fair, public dissatisfaction accumulates, leading to mass protests, which then turn violent and ultimately paralyse the state. A paralysed state invites foreign pressure and unwarranted external interference. This is why Tarique Rahman’s position is clear: public empowerment must be ensured through the right to vote and free elections. Let votes—not bullets—bring stability to the state.
Similarly, the politicisation of the administration weakens the state from within. When deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, magistrates and judges are identified by party affiliation, the state loses its neutrality and becomes a political fortress for one group. Tarique Rahman’s plan emphasises administrative neutrality, professional law enforcement and judicial independence. The state does not stand on individuals; it stands on institutions.
In this context, Tarique Rahman’s personal security is not merely about protecting a leader—it is about protecting political balance. If rational and legitimate leadership is not secure, democracy itself cannot be secure. The tendency towards monopolised power then pushes the state further into danger.
There is no room for emotion in international politics either. What is required is geopolitical risk assessment. Blind allegiance to any power or unnecessary hostility towards others has no place here; national interest must be the sole criterion. Foreign influence grows in weak states; diplomacy works in strong ones.
The economy is also an inseparable component of security. Rising unemployment fuels social unrest, crime and political violence. Therefore, employment generation, investment, industrialisation and agricultural reconstruction are not merely development plans—they are security strategies as well.
Suppressing the opposition is self-destructive for the state. Without an opposition, resentment builds, explosions occur and blood is shed. The opposition functions as the state’s safety valve—a reality clearly reflected in Tarique Rahman’s plan.
Modern politics is no longer confined to the streets; it has become a full-scale information war. Disinformation, character assassination and propaganda blind the state from within. Hence, transparency of information, its free flow and media freedom are also integral to national security.
Military force is only one component of state protection. Ultimately, a state survives on public trust. In a state governed by coercion, people live in fear, undermining both stability and development. “I Have a Plan” is not a threat; it is a strategic and planned stance. It signals that Bangladesh can no longer be treated as a pawn—rather, the Bangladesh of the future will be built through this very plan.
If this plan is not implemented, Bangladesh will face not only political crisis but also risks to its independence and sovereignty. It must be remembered that the state is the vehicle through which the people’s dreams are fulfilled, and it is sound leadership—backed by clear planning—that safeguards the very existence of the state.
Author: Chief Security Officer to the BNP Chairman
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
