Tarique Rahman, Acting Chairman of the BNP, stated that the people of Bangladesh do not want to see the return of those forces responsible for enforced disappearances, killings, corruption, plunder, money laundering, and the creation of brutal detention centers like the notorious “Ainaghar.” He emphasized that all political parties aligned with the spirit of Bangladesh—including the BNP—fully support the people’s demand to hold accountable those who repeatedly violated the Constitution, formed illegitimate parliaments and governments, and undermined democratic norms. Speaking at a BNP-hosted event at the Chairperson’s Office in Gulshan on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, he called for legal action against all responsible for constitutional breaches.

Tarique underscored the need for a democratic government that is answerable to the people, warning against any attempts to hijack electoral rights. He reiterated the BNP’s vision of establishing a people-driven administration through direct voting. He argued that democracy remains the best model for a safe and humane society, and that those who suppress democratic rights are now recognized by the people as enemies of democracy. Referring to past democratic uprisings in 1971, November 7, 1975, 1990, and again in 2024, he stressed that the people are united on two fronts: preventing Bangladesh from becoming a proxy state, and ensuring that the defeated, exiled anti-democratic forces never rise again.

Calling on the media to expose the misdeeds and violence of the outgoing authoritarian rule—particularly the incidents of July and August—Tarique urged investigative reporting on attacks against religious minorities in places like Ramu, Nasirnagar, Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Sunamganj. He said such reports would discourage the use of minority communities for political gain.

He also announced plans for a multi-faith, cross-party “Citizens’ Inquiry Commission” to investigate incidents of injustice against various communities during the last one and a half decades. Reaffirming the BNP’s inclusive philosophy, he stated that regardless of religion or political affiliation, every citizen’s primary identity is being Bangladeshi, and all deserve equal rights within the state and society.

The event was chaired by BNP Religious Affairs Joint Secretary Dipen Dewan and moderated by Subhash Chandra Chakma. It featured speeches from Standing Committee members Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Chairperson’s Advisers Prof. Sukomal Barua and Bijon Kanti Sarkar, London BNP President M.A. Malek, Kishoreganj University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dilip Kumar Barua, and Buddhist leaders Maitri Dewan and Samir Dewan.