BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has apologised to former Special Security Force (SSF) director general Major General (Retd) Syed Fatemi Ahmed Rumi for an incident that took place years ago.
He expressed this regret while joining a discussion meeting with former army officers virtually from London.
The meeting was organised on Tuesday night at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. After hearing speeches from several former army officers, Tarique Rahman spoke. At the end of his remarks, he said, “On the screen here I want to see someone. It is a very personal matter, but still, since everyone is here, I want to mention it. In front of us here, during my mother’s (Khaleda Zia) time, he was the DG of SSF — Rumi Sahib. Rumi Sahib is present.”
Syed Fatemi Ahmed Rumi, who was seated in the row of retired military officers, replied, “Yes, I am here.”
Tarique Rahman said, “Thank you, I see you now. Rumi Sahib, you surely remember that there was once a procession — from old Dhaka to Amin Bazar — and I walked the entire procession, and my mother (Khaleda Zia) was also in that procession. There was a lot of crowd and commotion. You said something to me then.
“I am very sorry; that day I behaved a bit harshly with you. All things considered, I am very sorry for that. I tried for many days to reach you. I request my apology. I had no opportunity. Today I got the opportunity. I am really sorry for that.”
At this point, the retired army officers applauded.
Responding to Tarique Rahman, Syed Fatemi Ahmed Rumi said, “I will remain grateful to you. Thank you very much for what you said; I will remember it.”
At this stage, Tarique said, “Everyone stay well, stay healthy. I hope for your support from all of you.”
The meeting arranged by the BNP was presided over by the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. It was conducted by Major General (Retd.) Fazle Elahi Akbar. More than one hundred retired officers of the armed forces took part.
Among others who spoke were Major General (Retd) Jamil D Ahsan, Rear Admiral (Retd) Mostafiz, Air Commodore (Retd) Shafique Ahmed, Colonel (Retd) Harunur Rashid, Colonel (Retd.) Jaglul, Colonel (Retd) Hannan Mridha, Lt Colonel (Retd) Shamsuzzoha and Lt Colonel (Retd) Zainal Abedin.
Among BNP leaders, Standing Committee member Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Vice-Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury also spoke.
