BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. -File Photo

DHAKA, Dec 15, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman paid profound tribute to all the brave martyrs of the bloody 1971 Liberation War on the occasion of Bangladesh’s 55th Victory Day. 

In a message released on Victory Day, he stated, "On this day in 1971, the nine-month-long War of Independence concluded, and an independent state named Bangladesh was created. I extend deep homage to all the heroic freedom fighters and martyrs who sacrificed their lives in Bangladesh's War of Independence."

Extending greetings to the nation on Victory Day, he said, "On this day, I offer my greetings to all citizens and expatriate Bangladeshis. May their lives be filled with happiness, peace, prosperity and welfare."

Tarique Rahman prayed for the salvation of the souls of the brave martyrs of the War of Independence and offered his respectful salute to the mothers and sisters who made the supreme sacrifice to free the country from foreign shackles.

He highlighted the historical context of the victory, saying, “The War of Independence, which began on March 26, 1971, with the call of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the Proclaimer of Independence, achieved victory on December 16 of that year by defeating the Pakistani occupying forces. The country's indomitable heroic freedom fighters snatched this victory at the risk of their lives. Therefore, December 16 is an epic day of national pride, joy and sorrow."

He further asserted that the new state was fundamentally committed to establishing Bangladesh based on democratic principles, free from exploitation and founded on social justice.

However, the Acting Chairman alleged that inhumane fascist groups repeatedly suppressed that commitment and imposed disastrous misrule on the people. They halted the progress of multi-party democracy.

He stated that while the beloved motherland was freed from the enemy in 1971, the conspirators' blueprint is still ongoing. He claimed that "Aggressive forces" show the audacity to disregard Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.

Tarique Rahman accused the "local agents of those evil forces" of weaving a web of conspiracy to endanger the country's achieved independence. He alleged, "For the last sixteen years, these agents have ridiculed public opinion by holding successive farcical, unilateral elections. They seized all democratic rights of the people of this country, They made civil liberty invisible, rendering the people rightless."

He also alleged that multi-party democracy has vanished from the country, along with freedom of speech and expression, including that of the press. 

“The overwhelming display of absolute power has plunged the country into darkness everywhere is despair, fear, and anarchy," he added. 

He further mentioned that power usurpers have carried out brutal attacks on the people, resulting in the enforced disappearance and killing of countless individuals. Millions of people have been imprisoned in false cases, leading to a frighteningly chaotic situation, he added. 

He specifically mentioned the illegal imprisonment of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, saying, "The undisputed leader who fought for democracy for a long period of her life was unjustly imprisoned in a dark jail. The inhuman, oppressive ruling class continued to take one anti-people measure after another to perpetually hold onto power."

Tarique Rahman credited the inspiration of Great Victory Day for fostering national unity to protect the independence and sovereignty of the beloved motherland from fascists and safeguard democracy. This unity, he said, led to the world-shaking student-people movement in July-August ‘24, resulting in the defeat and fall of "one of history's cruelest dictators."

He said that expectation for the protection of independence and sovereignty, and the revival of multi-party democracy, has been awakened once again.

Regarding the need for free and fair elections, he said, "At this moment, the environment must be secured for the peaceful conduct of a free and fair election to form a pro-people and accountable government.”

“Let our pledge on this Victory Day for a non-discriminatory Bangladesh be: We will forget divisions, forget hostility, and stand by people as human beings."