BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return home as soon as the case is over, said the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He (Tarique Rahman) has called on the leaders and activists to be patient.

He made this statement while talking to reporters after landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Thursday (December 12) afternoon after receiving treatment from London.

In response to a question from journalists, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the information adviser's statement that political parties are trying to thwart the interim government is anti-political. He said that all political parties have cooperated with the current interim government.

The BNP Secretary General said that the idea that BNP is prioritizing elections rather than reforms is wrong.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir went to London for treatment early this month. Along with treatment there, he met with the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. He also attended various events with leaders of various BNP organizations in London.

Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP will hold a long march from the capital Dhaka to Agartala in the Indian state of Tripura today, under the initiative of Jubadal, Swechchha Sevak Dal and Chhatra Dal.

The program will start from Nayapaltan at 8 am on Wednesday (December 11). The leaders and activists are holding the long march after submitting a memorandum to the country's High Commission in Dhaka last Sunday in protest against Indian aggression and information terrorism.

The leaders and activists of the three organizations said that the long march will rally at Bhairab Bazar via Motijheel Shapla Chattar, Kanchpur Bridge, Bhulata Gauchia, Panchdona. From there, it is scheduled to reach the land port of Brahmanbaria, Akhaura border. Through this program, in addition to calling on the people of the country to unite for national interest, initiatives will be taken to raise awareness about various conspiracies and provocations of India.

The organizations have made extensive preparations for the long march. Hundreds of cars, open trucks and motorcycles will be used by leaders and activists of various police stations and ward committees in Dhaka city. In addition, leaders and activists of various organizational units of different districts will join this procession along the way. Necessary instructions have been given for this. Apart from this, it is known that ordinary students and youth who take a strong stand for the country, independence and sovereignty will also be able to participate in the program. Banners, posters, festoons and placards will highlight various misdeeds of India. 

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that we must stand united against human rights violations.

He said this in a message given on the occasion of the UN-declared Human Rights Day on Monday (December 9).

The BNP Acting Chairman said, today we are on a new journey - the journey of re-establishing democracy and protecting human rights. In the light of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, our future state system must be such that human rights are protected and no one is oppressed anymore.

He said, this year's theme of 'Human Rights Day' reminds us that we must stand united against human rights violations. For this, the people must be aware and organized and come forward to establish a just state system.

He also said, the leader of the entire people of the country, Begum Khaleda Zia, was imprisoned for a long time and was punished in a false case and the cruel situation in which she was subjected is a shameful chapter in our history. This chapter reminds us that protest against injustice should never stop.

Tarique Rahman said, at this moment, the people of the country are united. Everyone must come forward in this journey of establishing true democracy while protecting human rights, this should be our firm commitment on the Human Rights Day declared by the United Nations.

Tarique Rahman said, the United Nations declared December 10 as 'Human Rights Day' in 1950. Since then, 'Human Rights Day' has been celebrated every year on December 10. The theme of the 2024 International Human Rights Day is - 'Our Rights, Our Future, Now'.

He said, keeping the theme in mind on this day, I express my deep sympathy for the oppressed people of different countries of the world who have lost their fundamental rights. At the same time, I express my determination to build a just and accountable state system to implement the goal that no one else in the world, including Bangladesh, will be deprived of fundamental human rights in the future.

He further said, our country has gone through a long dark chapter of one-party rule, when people's rights were taken away, democracy was destroyed and the state system was used for personal empowerment. Those who stood against this misrule - be they politicians, journalists, students, workers or ordinary people - have been subjected to false cases, imprisonment, physical torture, disappearances and murder.

The acting chairman of BNP said, "I pay deep respect to the souls of those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for civil liberties including speech, person, thought, prayer, and printing in the past. I express my deep sympathy to those who are still being persecuted and oppressed."

In another message given on the occasion of the birth and death anniversaries of Begum Rokeya, Tarique Rahman said that while carrying the message of women's liberation, she had to face fierce attacks from the orthodox conservatives of the society. Despite this, she was indomitable and steadfast in her duty. Begum Rokeya, through her sharp writing, struck at the root of the injustice and discriminatory treatment of women by the society.

He said, Begum Rokeya deeply inspired women to be autonomous and self-respecting in these three areas of life - family, society and economy. She built a social movement to make women self-reliant despite the obstacles of a hundred pitfalls. I believe that Begum Rokeya's hard-working life and ideals will make women more energetic and inspiring.

He also said, on the occasion of the birth and death anniversaries of Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, I pay my deepest respect to her memory and pray for the forgiveness of her departed soul. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, who grew up in a strict conservative family environment, was the pioneer of women's awakening in this country. She realized the backward position of women in society in the reality of her own life.

The acting chairman of BNP said, she realized that education is the main support for establishing women's self-respect. The goal of her life's struggle was the emancipation of women through the spread of women's education. She was the first to take the initiative to enlighten the backward Muslim women of this country with the light of education.

Commenting that the media is a strong pillar for democracy, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, but Sheikh Hasina had strangled all the country's press through the Digital Security Act, unfortunately destroying our media. As a result, no one dared to write a line. Some of the press was busy in her flattery in public.

He made this comment in response to a question at a view-exchange program with the Bengali media in London on Saturday (December 7) evening local time.

In response to another question, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, some black clouds have gathered to regain a new democratic social system, attempts are being made to destroy communal harmony based on some minor incidents. Some Indian media are influencing Western countries through propaganda. The reaction of which has also been reflected in the UK. There was no government in the country for 3 days from August 5, there was no police.

Regarding elections and reforms, the BNP Secretary General said that BNP has already felt the lack of reforms. Without reforms, there will never be fair elections in the country. As a result, the BNP announced Vision 2030, where the idea of change and reform was given. Even the idea of changing the parliamentary system and the extent of the power of the Prime Minister and the President was given. Then 10 points, 27 points and the latest 31 points were announced, which contain the outline of all the reforms.

Stating that no one except Allah has the power to defeat the BNP, he said that the BNP was in power three times. They will come to power again. This is certain. BNP is always ready for elections. They will say tomorrow, they will go to elections tomorrow.

Regarding Tarique Rahman's return to the country, the BNP Secretary General said that when the party feels that he needs to go to the country at this moment, he will go to the country. Everyone knows that he has many legal issues. Those issues are being worked on. When the work is completed, he will go to the country.

Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister and took refuge in India on August 5 due to the mass uprising of students and the public. After that, her statements were published on the verified Facebook page of Awami League at different times. Her phone conversations with party workers and supporters also reached the people through social media.

In this regard, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge in their country (India), it is their matter. We always expect that all countries have a basic policy. That is, the sheltered person will never speak.