Return to Bangladesh after 17 years, BNP leader Tarique Rahman uses quotes from Martin Luther King Jr., expresses a vision for a ‘New Bangladesh’ amidst concerns over minorities, political turmoil, and tensions with neighboring India
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman, in his first speech on Bangladesh soil in 17 years, drew upon quotes from US civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr to set out what he claims is his vision for his native Bangladesh and declared, “I have a plan.” It is through this and various speeches given in recent times that views on what Tarique Rahman wishes for Bangladesh in regards to its minority communities and its foreign policy in relation to India have come to light.
It has been close to six decades since Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous ‘I have a dream speech’ from the Lincoln Memorial. Rahman channeled his words with his own political ideology while addressing on December 25. It was widely noticed that his speech lasted for 17 minutes, just like King’s famous speech. This act of Rahman indicated that he is one of the most likely people to become prime minister.
Tarique Rahman’s talk centered on inclusiveness and the need to unite, calling on both Muslim and Hindu communities to join hands in forging what he termed a “New Bangladesh.”
The context of Tarique Rahman’s talk assumes particular relevance given the current polarized political setting, incidences of violence, and the growing dominance of Islamist radicals during the Muhammad Yunus government.
Tarique Rahman’s words are further seen to carry some assuring message to India at a time when Indo-Bangladesh relations are at their lowest in several years. While Rahman’s explanation seems convincing, it must be noted that not everyone agrees with him. There are people, especially within the Indian government, who oppose Rahman’s claims regarding the Indian government’s role in the worsening situation.
Tarique Rahman’s Homecoming : Rahman’s return, termed “ghar wapsi” or return home, was full of carefully staged gestures. When Rahman stepped down from the Dhaka airport plane, he was barefoot and scooped up a moundful of soil with his hand, indicating his respect for the nation that he had not been able to set foot in after 2008.
During his public function welcoming him back, Rahman opted for the plastic chair and requested the removal of the decorated chair that was meant for him.Speaking at the massive rally estimated to be in attendance at 50 lakh people, Rahman talked about his “plan” for making a safe, inclusive, and united Bangladesh. Briefly using English in his address, he said, “Today, standing on the soil of Bangladesh, before all of you, I want to say this: I have a plan for the people of my country and for my country,” which had clear implications for both home and international audiences.
What is Tarique’s Plan ? : The tone of Rahman during his speech was inclusive and looking towards the future. This is especially after the protests had turned quite bitterly against India. Within one week of the protests taking place, two Hindus named Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal were killed. In this context, Rahman talked about “safe Bangladesh for all.” “We have people from different religions—all Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and Hindus—are living here. We want to make a Bangladesh together—a Bangladesh as is dreamed by a mother,” he said.
Ensuring public safety is one of his main focus areas, Rahman emphasized. “A woman, or a man, or a child. can go out of his house safely and can come back to his house safely,” he said.Human rights organizations have highlighted incidents of increasing levels of violence against minorities.
In August, Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities noted 342 cases of rape, which have all been officially recorded, in the first three months of 2025, mostly against women and children belonging to minorities.Although Rahman kept warning against provocation and violence, he did not specifically denounce instances of arson attacks or murder of Hindus, but his message regarding security and pluralism was a departure from the tone of the BNP.
India, Foreign Policy, and the Way Ahead : Although Rahman did not refer to India in his speech, recent remarks he has made call for a readjustment in BNP policies. BNP and Indian relations have perennially been fraught with issues as New Delhi has consistently sided with Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. Now that the Awami League has been excluded from participating in the upcoming February elections, the BNP’s intention to be seen as more pluralistic has made headlines in New Delhi. Rahman has condemned the interim government of Yunus for doing long-term foreign policy initiatives without an electoral mandate and has declared a “Bangladesh First” policy.
“Not Dilli, not Pindi, but Bangladesh before everything,” he recently said in a rally, indicating that he does not want to keep close ties with either India or Pakistan. He also condemned Jamaat-e-Islami for their activities during the 1971 war. It appears, from opinion polls, that the BNP is set to win the most seats in the forthcoming elections, with Jamaat trailing very close behind. It seems that Rahman’s days in exile are numbered, but whether his “plan” will succeed in integrating this polarised country remains to be seen.
Also read : Bangladesh opposition leader Tarique Rahman returns home after 17 years in exile
