Tarique Rahman calls upcoming election ‘extremely important’ for democracy

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said the upcoming national election is “extremely, extremely, and extremely important” for building a safe and democratic Bangladesh.

“If we fail to build a safe democratic Bangladesh, the future will only bring more mourning gatherings and stories of grief,” he said, urging pro-democracy citizens to work toward ensuring the victory of democracy.

Tarique made the remarks while addressing a discussion with families of those martyred and seriously injured in the July Uprising.

He said the state bears clear responsibilities toward those killed and injured during more than one and a half decades of anti-fascist movements, including the 2024 uprising.

As a responsible political party, the BNP feels that responsibility, he said adding, “If BNP receives the people’s mandate and forms the government, we will fulfil that responsibility and our commitments gradually, before the people and the nation.”

The programme was organised by the BNP at the Krishibid Institute auditorium in Farmgate. Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, also attended, sitting with the victim families.

As family members shared their experiences, many broke down in tears, creating an emotional atmosphere. At one stage, Tarique stepped down from the dais, spoke directly with the families, and offered them comfort.

Tarique said the 2024 movement did not belong to any individual, party, or group, describing it as a mass uprising of people deprived of their rights. “The year, 1971, was about achieving independence, while 2024 was about protecting the country and the people’s freedom,” he said, stressing the need to ensure political and economic rights for all citizens to uphold the spirit of the movement.

He warned against attempts to turn the struggle for democracy into a partisan cause and urged people to remain vigilant.

He further said that the pain of families who lost loved ones can never be erased, and that compensation for the injured should focus on ensuring the best possible medical treatment while fulfilling the democratic goals for which they took to the streets.

Tarique said that if the BNP comes to power, a separate department will be created under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to look after the families of “July martyrs and the July fighters.”

“The July fighters are also freedom fighters,” he said, drawing a parallel between the sacrifices of 1971 and the struggle of 2024 to protect independence and sovereignty.

“During the July Uprising alone, more than 1,400 people were killed and around 30,000 injured. Around 500 lost one or both eyes, and many were permanently disabled,” he said, describing the killings as a “genocide”. He added that many of the injured attended the programme and shared their suffering, saying their courage forced the fascist forces to flee state power and the country.