BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has returned home after more than 17 years in exile, calling for peace, unity and democratic restoration at a massive party rally amid growing public anxiety over violence and instability.
Addressing hundreds of thousands of supporters at a BNP-organised reception on the July 36 Expressway at Purbachal’s 300-feet road, Tarique urged his followers to remain calm in the face of provocation and warned of conspiracies aimed at destabilising the country.
At one stage of his speech, he repeated three times, “We want peace in our country.”
His return, coming a year and a half after the fall of Awami League government in a mass uprising, has been widely seen as a pivotal moment in the country’s volatile political transition ahead of the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for 12 February.
Tarique arrived in the capital’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:39am on Thursday from London, travelling via Sylhet in a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. His wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman accompanied him.
The authorities deployed what officials described as unprecedented security arrangements, with multiple layers of law enforcement, intelligence surveillance and traffic restrictions in place along his route.
Senior BNP leaders were present at the airport to receive him, marking his first return to the country after nearly two decades abroad. He remained at the airport for almost an hour before leaving at 12:41pm in a bulletproof bus for Purbachal, where a grand public reception had been organised.
Tarique exited the airport through the VIP gate. Standing at the front of the bus, Tarique waved to party leaders and activists and greeted them with salams.
Earlier, after leaving the airport, Tarique stood barefoot for a short while in a nearby garden, where he picked up a handful of soil.
Supporters lined roads from the airport to the outskirts of the capital, many waving national and party flags, and chanting slogans. The celebratory atmosphere, heightened by emotion and anticipation, turned the seven-kilometre journey into a procession that took more than three hours to complete. Throughout the journey, Tarique repeatedly waved to acknowledge the cheers of supporters.
Massive rally at Purbachal
By mid-afternoon, the scale of the gathering at Purbachal had become apparent. Party officials claimed hundreds of thousands, while independent observers described it as one of the largest rallies in recent years.
Tarique took the stage shortly before 4pm, greeted by thunderous cheers. In his speech, he repeatedly stressed the need for patience and restraint, particularly among young supporters.
“Agents of hegemonic forces are engaged in conspiracies in various ways. We must remain patient. We must practice restraint,” said the BNP leader.
He placed strong emphasis on the role of the younger generation, saying they would carry the responsibility of rebuilding the country on firm democratic and economic foundations.
“Young people will lead this nation in the days ahead. You must take responsibility now, so that Bangladesh can be rebuilt on strong democratic and economic pillars,” he said.
Invoking 1971 and July uprising
Throughout the speech, Tarique framed his political message within the nation’s historical struggles, invoking both the 1971 Liberation War and the July 2024 mass uprising that led to the collapse of the previous government.
He paid tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and sovereignty, saying the blood debt of martyrs from 1971, as well as those killed during years of authoritarian rule, must not be forgotten.
Referring to the July uprising, he said it had demonstrated how ordinary people — farmers, workers, women, students and religious minorities — had come together to reclaim their rights.
“The people of Bangladesh want their voices back. They want their democratic rights restored. They want justice based on merit,” he said.
He also mentioned the killing of Osman Hadi, a young leader linked to the July movement, describing him as a martyr who dreamed of a democratic and just Bangladesh.
Call for unity across divisions
In a speech laced with religious references and inclusive rhetoric, Tarique emphasised unity across religion, ethnicity and class.
“This country is home to hill communities and people of the plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians. We want to build a Bangladesh where everyone feels safe,” he said.
He spoke of a vision in which women, children and minorities could move freely without fear, a message aimed at easing public concern over recent mob violence and criminal incidents.
‘I have a plan’
In one of the most notable moments of the speech, Tarique invoked the famous words of US civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, referencing the historic “I have a dream” speech.
“Dear brothers and sisters, have you heard the name of Martin Luther King? He said, ‘I have a dream.’ Today, standing before you, I want to say, as a member of BNP ‘I have a plan’.”
“This plan is for the interests of the people of the country, for the development of the country, and for changing the destiny of the people. To implement this plan, the cooperation of every person in the country is needed. If you stand by us and support us, Insha’Allah we will be able to implement,” he told the cheering crowd without elaborating.
Appeal for peace
As his speech neared its conclusion, the BNP leader made his most emphatic appeal yet, repeating three times: “We want peace in our country.”
He urged supporters to avoid disorder under any circumstances and to respond calmly to provocation.
“We must maintain peace and discipline at any cost. We must remain calm in the face of any incitement,” he said.
He ended by offering prayers for national leaders and asking supporters to pray for his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment.
Visit to Evercare Hospital
After the rally, Tarique travelled to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to see his critically ill mother.
His convoy left Purbachal in the early evening but was slowed by large crowds lining the roads, many waiting for hours to catch a glimpse of him. He arrived at the hospital shortly before 6pm, accompanied by senior BNP leaders, including standing committee members.
Scenes of jubilation continued outside the hospital as supporters gathered, waving and cheering as his vehicle entered the premises.
