Statement of Tarique Rahman on the 46th Founding Anniversary of BNP:

“Win people's hearts not with power or intimidation, but with justice and compassion."

On the occasion of the 46th founding anniversary of BNP, the party's Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, has urged the party's leaders and workers to win people’s hearts with justice and generosity, not by force or fear. He emphasized the importance of earning the love of the people.

In a video message on this Sunday (September 1), he extended his heartfelt greetings to the democracy-loving people of the country and to all the leaders and workers of the party on the occasion of BNP's 46th founding anniversary.

Mr. Tarique Rahman stated that since the establishment of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the party has always upheld the interests of the country and its people in every struggle, whether in government or as an opposition party, for the establishment of democracy and human rights. For this reason, despite facing numerous adverse situations, BNP, the party of the Proclaimer of Independence, remains the most popular and trusted political institution among the democracy-loving people of the country. He paid tribute to those whose leadership, sacrifices, labor, sweat, and intelligence have made BNP a trusted institution for the people across the nation.

Mr. Tarique Rahman said that the country is currently at a critical juncture in its history. The interim government is facing a tough challenge in building a non-discriminatory Bangladesh, which is the aspiration of students and the masses. The country was freed from tyranny on August 5 through immense sacrifices by thousands of martyrs and the painful situation of countless students and people. However, the accomplices of the tyrant are still conspiring to undermine the success and potential of this mass uprising. I believe that if the forces on the side of Bangladesh remain vigilant, the country will not be led astray, and Bangladesh will not lose its way.

The people cannot be made to forget the injustices and oppressions of the past 15 years through conspiracies or propaganda. The state establishment Ganabhaban, which was a traditional symbol of state and politics, has now become a symbol of Hasina's tyranny, corruption, misrule, and crimes. Already, there have been demands from various quarters to turn Ganabhaban into a museum of disappearances, killings, abductions, and massacres. The memories of the victims of the 2009 BDR mutiny, the 2013 Shapla Chattar massacre, the enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the movements for the restoration of democracy in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2022, and 2023, the 2018 quota reform and safe roads movements, and the martyrs and disappeared during the 2024 mass uprising will be preserved in this museum. This museum will carry the message to future generations that no ruler should follow the brutal path of tyrant Hasina to hold onto power illegally.

At a time when the interim government is on the path to fulfilling the aspirations of the mass uprising, a sudden imposed flood situation has engulfed the vast regions of the country's eastern part. Nearly ten million people have been affected to varying degrees by the devastating floods. Many have lost their lives, and properties have been destroyed. In this situation, BNP has canceled all its founding anniversary programs to stand by the flood victims as much as possible. In some areas, floodwaters have already started receding. As a result, the process of rehabilitating those affected by the flood or returning them to their flood-ravaged homes is somewhat more complicated than the flood situation itself. Therefore, continue your support to the flood victims. Stand by the affected people in a coordinated manner. Especially prioritize extending a helping hand to families with women, children, elderly, or seniors. As a citizen, actively contribute to the government's initiatives to successfully complete the flood rehabilitation process.

Leaving the country in a state of chaos in every sector—state, politics, education, culture, economy, public administration, and judiciary—the tyrant Hasina has fled. The country has been left dependent on loans, imports, and foreign influence. It is not just Hasina who has fled; her unelected cabinet, all the unelected MPs, and even the Khateeb of Baitul Mukarram appointed by them have fled. Overcoming such an unprecedented and terrible situation, the people now want to move forward on the path of dignity and prosperity. Therefore, there is no alternative to state reforms to transform the country into the desired Bangladesh of the people. However, state reform is an ongoing, long-term, and continuous process. To effectively and sustainably reform the state, the direct participation of the people in the reform process is essential. In democratic countries, the direct participation of the people in state reform is ensured by guaranteeing their right to vote. Because in a democratic state, the effective link between the government and the people is a representative national parliament.

To restore the people's looted right to vote and establish a representative government, it is necessary to prioritize the reform or reorganization of constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, law enforcement agencies, public administration, and the Anti-Corruption Commission, as the first step in state reform. We believe that the interim government is moving forward with state reform activities according to their plan to achieve that goal. Therefore, the people are ready to provide all kinds of support to the interim government for necessary state reforms to put the country on the electoral roadmap to form a representative state and government through direct voting.

I believe our party, BNP, thinks that ensuring transparency in the activities and vision of political parties is also important to effectively implement state reform. To that end, in July 2023, BNP announced a party political reform program alongside state reform. BNP has provided a 31-point outline for state reform, including the establishment of an inclusive, non-discriminatory, and harmonious government based on Bangladeshi nationalism, the introduction of a 'caretaker government' system during elections, the balancing of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to establish a balance of state power, limiting the tenure of the Prime Minister to no more than two consecutive terms, the introduction of a bicameral legislature, and even examining the amendment of Article 70 of the Constitution. I believe our party, BNP, thinks there is no alternative to state and political reforms to build the Bangladesh people aspire to. The people also believe that state reforms through governments directly elected by the people's votes are more effective. This is also recognized by the democratic world.

We have no chance to look back. The fleeing tyrant has taken away 15 years of national life. BNP's goal for the future is to build a non-discriminatory, safe, and humane Bangladesh, pushing away that nightmare. BNP believes that in the current world of information technology, the present generation wants to see the implementation of promises instead of political rhetoric. They want to see the doors of prosperity, honor, and opportunity opened. For this, in addition to structural changes in state and politics, all doors of opportunity must be opened for the future generation and the working people. In addition to moral values and job-oriented education policies, new fields of employment must be created at home and abroad. To ensure foreign employment, the state must prioritize creating skilled labor through state initiatives if necessary.

Finally, I want to say a few more words to the leaders and workers of my party across the country. You are the lifeblood of BNP. Despite facing severe oppression, harassment, and suffering, you have not deviated from the ideals of nationalism. I know that many of you have been victims of persecution by the mafia government and its accomplices for years. However, in the current changed situation, I have a request for you: do not become vengeful due to the past persecution. Do not take the law into your own hands. Instead, if you are victims of injustice, take legal action. But be careful that no one falls victim to harassment or violence. My clear message to you is to win people's hearts with justice and generosity, not by force or fear. Earn the people's love.

In conclusion, on this auspicious occasion of BNP's 46th founding anniversary, I want to say that BNP, founded by the Proclaimer of Independence, has been brought to every home in the 87,000 villages of the country by the 'Mother of Democracy,' Begum Khaleda Zia. The flag of that party is now in your, my, and our hands. This flag is no longer just the party flag of BNP. This flag has now become a symbol of the freedom and rights of the country and its people. Therefore, those who want to uphold the dignity of this flag must not engage in any unethical or unauthorized activities. All levels of the nationalist forces in Bangladesh, at all levels, must remember that the people trust BNP. BNP trusts the people. Because the people are the source of all political power of BNP.

(Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi)  

Senior Joint Secretary General  

Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP