BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today spoke virtually in a Conference at the Bangladesh Krishibid Institution auditorium in Dhaka. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, NOV 8, 2025 (BSS) – BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today virtually addressed the Hindu Representatives’ Conference of Matua Bahujan Samaj Oikya Jote as the chief guest at the Bangladesh Krishibid Institution auditorium. 

The following is the full text of his speech:

Listening to your speeches, one thing has become clear to me. That is—although religious faith serves as a unifying bond within every religion, there are still differences among clans, communities, and groups in the way they understand, follow, and practice their respective religious codes and principles. Similarly, in personal, family, and social life, differences are also seen in the implementation of those codes. In other words, even among followers of the same religion, there exist diversity and variation.

Our country is home to people of many religions, castes, groups, tribes, and communities. Because of their distinct religious beliefs and cultural characteristics, different groups have variations and diversity in their customs and festivals. The bond of unity amid this diversity is the true cultural, social, and political beauty of our state and society.

However, within this diverse society, there exists a common bond of unity among all citizens. What is that bond? That bond is the revolutionary political philosophy of Bangladeshi Nationalism established by the BNP’s founder and the Proclaimer of Independence. That is to say, regardless of which religion, community, or group we belong to, our foremost and primary identity as citizens is that we are Bangladeshis. As a Bangladeshi citizen, your rights in this country are exactly equal to mine.

In this context, I want to draw the attention of citizens of every religion and community to one important point: to live in the state and society with dignity, respect, and security, it is not necessary for anyone to be a supporter, activist, or leader of any particular political party. In both political and non-political states, every citizen has equal rights. However, every citizen must abide by the constitution and the laws of the land.

During the regime of deposed fascist, even though the BNP was the most popular and widely supported political party in the country, over 150,000 cases were filed against at least 50 lakh BNP leaders and activists. More than 700 were abducted or became victims of enforced disappearances. Courts held night sessions to deliver verdicts against BNP activists without reason or due process. The reason for all this was the absence of rule of law.

Under the rule of the fugitive dictator, neither Muslims nor Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, rightists, leftists, believers, non-believers were safe. There was no credible investigation or justice for any of the attacks in the country—be it the 2012 attack on the Buddhist temple in Ramu or the 2016 attack in Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria.

Over the past decade and a half, I have repeatedly called for the formation of a Citizen Investigation Commission comprising civil society, and representatives of all parties and all religions—to investigate the background of every attack on religious minority homes or places of worship and to ensure fair justice. But to this day, no credible investigation was held in a single incident and justice was not ensured.

Dear brothers and sisters from the Matua community and fellow followers of the Hindu community,

That’s why the BNP believes that without justice and the rule of law, neither the identity of minorities nor that of the majority can guarantee the safety of any citizen. Only justice and the rule of law can ensure citizens’ security.

In a fascism-free Bangladesh, a great opportunity now awaits before us to establish democracy, justice, and the rule of law, and to secure the rights of people from all religions - Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian alike. However, the role of some of our companions of the anti-fascist movement on the streets is creating condition that can undermine your and my rights and opportunities.

If the country falls into instability, it will pave the way for the rehabilitation of the fallen, defeated, and fugitive fascist forces. During the fascist regime, some anti-fascist individuals had adopted “secret tactics” for survival. I call upon the interim government and all democratic, anti-fascist forces to remain vigilant to consider the situation whether the fallen fascist forces are using similar covert strategies to obstruct the country’s path toward democratic transition.

To prevent the fallen and fugitive forces of August 5 from destabilizing the country through “covert operations” under the guise of any party, one of the key strategies must be to keep and strengthen national unity against fascism. That is why the BNP maintains a cooperative and conciliatory approach toward the interim government and our partners in the anti-fascist movement.

In Bangladesh’s politics, the BNP has always been a peaceful, tolerant, people-oriented, and democratic political party. Respect for differing opinions is part of BNP’s political culture. BNP’s politics is aimed at ensuring the political and economic empowerment of the people. The BNP does not believe in the politics of threats, intimidation, or fear.

One of the principal duties of the current interim government in a fascism-free Bangladesh is to establish a democratic government that is elected by the people, accountable to the people, and responsible to the people. Implementing the partisan interests of any group is not this government’s job. That is why the BNP considers a “note of dissent” in areas of disagreement as a decent way of expressing differences without exerting any pressure to the government.

Dear brothers and sisters of Matua community and fellow followers of Hindu community, 

The interim government has announced its decision to hold the national elections this coming February. Through this election, you will freely cast your votes to choose the candidates of your preference. To establish a Bangladesh of harmony and prosperity, the BNP has already presented detailed plans before the nation.

If, by your verdict and that of the people of this country, the BNP is given the opportunity to run the government in future, it will introduce a ‘Family Card’ against the female head of each of 50 lakh economically disadvantaged families in the first phase. Similarly, a ‘Farmers Card’ will be issued in the name of marginal and underprivileged farmers.

Besides, comprehensive plans have been taken to impart technical training to the unemployed youths to transform them into skilled manpower to ensure their employment at home and abroad.  

By implementing these plans, the BNP aims to build a Bangladesh of harmony and prosperity for every citizen regardless of religion or community. Therefore, in the upcoming national election, the BNP seeks the support of you and your family members.

Finally, a sincere appeal to you all —

Remain vigilant so that no one can exploit your religious identity for their partisan interests. Do not consider yourselves a minority. As citizens of an independent Bangladesh, you, all of us and me have the equal rights. For the BNP, the interests of the country and its people take the highest priority- not individual or partisan interests.

That is why we say: “We comes before I, the nation comes before we and above all Bangladesh”