—Audite Karim—

Bangladesh witnessed the regal return of a fearless warrior. He arrived drenched in the love of the people. It was as if millions had been waiting for him all this time. His absence had been felt everywhere. He became a beacon of hope, courage in crisis, and a symbol of trust. At last, he returned. Touching the sacred soil of Bangladesh, it was as though he took an oath – to build a nation of unity, a land of peace, and to embark on a new journey of development. He said, “I have a plan.”

He spoke of a plan that millions dream of. Carrying the aspirations of countless people, he presented a new roadmap for Bangladesh. The unspoken words in people’s hearts found expression through his voice. That voice is Tarique Rahman. He is no longer just the acting chairman of the BNP; he has become the voice of Bangladesh. Bearing the collective expression of the people, he spoke at the public reception held on the July 36 Expressway in Purbachal.

After his unprecedented return, Tarique Rahman delivered a brief yet the most significant speech of this time. It was not merely a speech – it was the trustworthy voice of a helmsman for a nation that had lost its way. It was a courageous assurance from a brave fighter standing beside anxious and terrified people.

At the very beginning of his address, Tarique Rahman said, “Dear Bangladesh.” He declared that the time has come for everyone to work together to build a safe country.

After suffering extreme insecurity for the last 16 months, this is now the primary demand of helpless people. Citizens from all walks of life are fed up with mob violence, murder, torture, and extortion. The majority of people in this country simply want to live safely. Even while staying far away in London, he understood the pain of the people. That is why, in his very first speech, he pledged to build a safe Bangladesh.

He said that just as this country is home to people of the hills, it is equally home to people of the plains; just as Muslims live here, so do Buddhists, Christians, and Hindus. We want to build a Bangladesh together – the Bangladesh we once dreamed of. People of this country struggled for this Bangladesh of unity. For such a nation, millions sacrificed their lives. Yet time and again, the country has been divided for vested interests and lust for power. Against this division, Tarique Rahman’s voice once again echoed as the voice of the people.

Emphasising that the younger generation will build the country in the future, he stressed the need to develop the nation on a democratic and strong economic foundation. During his speech, Tarique Rahman repeatedly said three times, “We want peace for the country.”

Peace is what is missing in Bangladesh today. By repeating the demand for peace three times immediately upon his return, he made it clear that no one understands the pain, sorrow, and suffering of the people better than he does. He did not merely identify the problems – he also has solutions.

That is why Tarique Rahman said, “Brothers and sisters, you have heard the name Martin Luther King. Martin Luther King had a famous line – ‘I have a dream.’ Today, standing on the soil of Bangladesh, in front of all of you, I want to say, as a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, I have a plan for the people of my country, for my country. This plan is for the interest of the people, for the development of the country, and for changing the destiny of its people.”

Through this statement, he made it clear that he is determined to change the conventional course of politics. His goal is not merely power, but to lead Bangladesh to a clearly defined destination. That destination is a Bangladesh of unity, a Bangladesh of peace, and a Bangladesh of development.

Seventeen years of exile have matured and enriched him. He is now a true statesman, fully prepared to lead Bangladesh toward its desired goals.

For a nation without leadership, he returned as a saviour. Bangladesh found a capable leader – one who will move the country forward. In contrast to the politics of slander, gossip, and revenge of the past, Tarique Rahman brought a message of progress, unity, and peace.

Thus, on 25 December, millions of people felt reassured. They found courage. After a long time, people in this country felt safe again. They believed that there is someone who will stand by them – always, in every crisis.

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Audite Karim, Writer and Playwright Email: [email protected]