Mob culture must be stopped: Tarique Rahman
He stressed that true democracy has not yet been established in Bangladesh. Only by guaranteeing the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the independence of the press and judiciary can the people’s democratic rights be secured, he argued. “For this, a democratically elected and accountable government is urgently needed,” he said, paying tribute to all BNP leaders and activists who have died since the party’s inception, as well as those who perished under what he termed “the iron grip of Awami fascism” and in last year’s blood-soaked student-led movement.
BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has called for an end to the culture of mob violence that has spread across the country. He said the newly emerging mob culture must be eliminated as it represents an unlawful and violent practice that instils fear and panic among the public.
“This illegal culture must be stopped by any means,” he wrote in a verified Facebook post on Sunday, extending greetings to leaders, activists, well-wishers and the nation on the party’s 47th founding anniversary.
Tarique Rahman said: “The sacrifices of martyrs in the decades-long struggle to restore democracy will only be honoured if we can ensure free and fair elections, good governance and justice. Let this be our pledge on the BNP’s founding anniversary. Never again should enforced disappearances, secret killings, extrajudicial executions, atrocities against women and children, terrorism, extortion, corruption and money laundering plague our nation. Alleviating the sufferings of the people, defending the country’s independence and sovereignty, and restoring multi-party democracy remain BNP’s foremost goals.”
He stressed that true democracy has not yet been established in Bangladesh. Only by guaranteeing the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the independence of the press and judiciary can the people’s democratic rights be secured, he argued. “For this, a democratically elected and accountable government is urgently needed,” he said, paying tribute to all BNP leaders and activists who have died since the party’s inception, as well as those who perished under what he termed “the iron grip of Awami fascism” and in last year’s blood-soaked student-led movement.
Recalling the party’s foundation, he noted that President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of independence, established the BNP on 1 September 1978 to unite the nation under a nationalist vision. He said the party has always been committed to protecting the country’s full independence, sovereignty and multi-party democracy. Tarique criticised post-independence Awami rule, describing it as marked by misrule, violence and political killings, culminating in a devastating famine that claimed one million lives. He accused the then-rulers of institutionalising dictatorship through BAKSAL, undermining press freedom and judicial independence.
Tarique Rahman said Ziaur Rahman revived multi-party democracy and restored civil liberties. Under Zia’s leadership, BNP rose to power through free elections and played a historic role in ensuring national development and prosperity. He paid deep respect to Ziaur Rahman, describing him as the proclaimer of independence, a successful statesman and architect of modern Bangladesh.
He added that, despite far-reaching conspiracies, BNP has stood as a vigilant guardian of the country’s independence and sovereignty. Many leaders and activists sacrificed their lives in the struggle to restore democracy from exile. Under Khaleda Zia’s leadership in the 1980s, BNP played an uncompromising role in the nine-year movement against military dictatorship, which eventually restored democracy.
Highlighting Begum Khaleda Zia’s contributions, he said that after BNP was elected in 1991, her government reintroduced parliamentary democracy through constitutional reforms, a move that strengthened democratic institutions. “For repeatedly restoring democracy and advancing the nation’s development, BNP has become the most popular political party,” he said.
He further noted that BNP’s ideological foundation rests on liberal politics, with commitments to social welfare and economic inclusivity. Whenever in power, the party has expanded social safety nets, empowered disadvantaged groups and women, and promoted self-reliance. Education, health, agriculture, industry, trade, banking, overseas employment and remittances all saw remarkable progress, laying the groundwork for a stronger national economy.
Tarique Rahman concluded that, through BNP’s efforts, the country has been free from famine, and people have been able to overcome financial hardship. “With the trust and confidence of the people, BNP will continue to dedicate itself to serving the nation and play a stronger role in the future,” he affirmed.