Will the winds of change blow?

BNP chairman, Tarique Rahman paid a visit to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman at the latter's Bashundhara residence last Sunday (February 15) evening. Terming it 'a historic moment in national politics', the Jamaat leader, Shafiqur Rahman, reaffirmed his party's commitment, along with the 11-party alliance, to build a prosperous nation based on democratic principles. Later, the BNP chief also visited Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), at the latter's residence at Bailey Road in the city. This marks a clear departure from the prevailing culture of animosity and hatred towards one's political opponents, which is a legacy of the past era.
Such a gesture of goodwill and mutual respect extended by the leader of a party that clinched a convincing victory in the national polls towards his political adversaries is a very welcome development. And it could not come at a more opportune time when political activists of rival groups after the just-completed electoral fray were impatiently waiting to go for the kill. In fact, workers and leaders of the victorious party in different districts had already started settling some old scores with their defeated rivals.
So, to all appearances, the purpose of the BNP chief's decision to call on Jamaat and NCP leaders was also to discourage some of his party's overenthusiastic activists who were straining at the leash to return to the age-old practice. For already reports of violence and deaths were coming from different parts of the country. In Munshiganj, for instance, a day after the election, a man died in a clash between rival factions of the BNP. In another incident in Chapainawabganj, two persons were burnt to death, while three others received injuries when a crude bomb was hurled into a tin shed house. Investigation is reportedly underway to identify the perpetrators of the dastardly bomb attack. The Ain O Shalish Kendra (ASK), a local legal aid and pro-human rights body, at a press briefing on Sunday (February 15), expressed deep concern over the incidents of violence, as reported in the media, involving attacks on political opponents following the 13th general election and the referendum. ASK condemned those acts of violence. The reported violence led to deaths in Munshiganj, Bagerhat, Sylhet, Cumilla, Narsingdi, Feni, Gazipur, Natore, just to mention some of the districts visited by the post-polls violence in which more than 200 persons were injured, according to the rights body.
Similar concerns were also expressed by another rights organization, the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), in the election-related violence in the last three months and a half between October, 2025 and February 14, 2026. During the period, some 10 people were killed and more than 2,500 were injured in election-related violence. In some cases, lethal weapons were used in these acts of violence, HRSS informed. Paradoxically, these election-related violent incidents had been taking place before and after the parliamentary elections and the referendum were held on February 12. But the election day was rather peaceful without any reports of major violence. Perhaps, the only explanation for this anomaly is that on the election day, a large number of law-enforces including members of the armed forces were deployed. But as soon as the striking forces were withdrawn, it was back to square one.
It was as though the country was again descending into the old toxic culture of revenge, vendetta and retribution. Now that the head of the party that won the last February 12's general elections hands down is willing to allow the winds of change to blow through our otherwise noxious political landscape, he should be given a fair chance. Other political parties that participated in the elections should also reciprocate his generous gesture. That, it is hoped, would pave the way for creating a healthy and constructive atmosphere where good sense will prevail and opposing political camps won't be at each other's throat anymore.

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