BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman speaking virtually at a discussion, organised by the party in the capital's Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, on Monday. — Focus Bangla BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has accused the Awami League (AL) of twisting the history of Bangladesh's independence and Liberation War to serve its own party interests, report agencies.
He said a deposed and fugitive clique has politicised history, and the defeated forces of the Liberation War are now attempting to write a 'new history of victory.'
He made the remarks while speaking virtually as the chief guest at a discussion in the capital's Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on Monday, marking the Victory Day.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir presided over the discussion while BNP Standing Committee members spoke.
Tarique Rahman asserted that attempts to question the independence and Liberation War have persisted over past and continue to this day.
"While the conspirators have changed their appearance over time, their character has not changed at all," he said.
He emphasised that Bangladesh is not a suddenly emerged territory; it was achieved through the supreme sacrifice of millions of martyrs and the honour of countless mothers and sisters.
He noted that numerous writings have documented the glorious history of this independence and Liberation War.
Regarding the path forward, Tareque Rahman outlined a vision, saying, "To counter the defeated clique, our Victory Day pledge should not be the politics of revenge or hostility; rather, it should be the establishment of a self-reliant, prosperous, and democratic Bangladesh with the aim of delivering the fruits of victory to every household."
He also stressed that independence and democracy cannot stand on a sustainable foundation without ensuring the political and economic empowerment of the people.
The BNP Acting Chairman said that whenever democracy has been threatened in the history of Bangladesh, independence and sovereignty have been simultaneously endangered. He cited the events of November 7, 1975, and August 5, 2024, as evidence of this.
He argued that the state machinery can never be strong by disempowering the people. "The prerequisite for a strong state is the establishment of a government accountable and responsible to the people, chosen through direct popular vote," he added.
Tareque Rahman reiterated that BNP has always taken a firm stance in favour of free, fair, and impartial elections. "However, a group acting against the interests of Bangladesh is creating obstacles to the conduct of elections under various pretexts," added the BNP's top leader.
He mentioned that even after the Election Commission announced the date for the national election after more than a decade and a half, the conspiracy has not ceased.
Referring to the shooting of Osman Hadi, a courageous proponent of democracy, as part of the conspiracy, Tareque Rahman posed critical questions, "Who will be pleased if the interim government fails? Who will benefit if the government remains in power without an election? And whose interests will be protected if the government is not established by the people's vote?"
"The answers to these questions would clearly reveal the identity of the perpetrators," he added.
He firmly asserted that the attempt to intimidate freedom-loving and democracy-seeking people will fail. He called on everyone to rely on Allah and unitedly advance the movement for establishing people's rights. He said that every movement, including 1971, November 7, 1975, and the anti-autocracy movement of the nineties, has proven that the people's victory cannot be stopped when they are united.
© 2025 - All Rights with The Financial Express
