Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting Chairman Tarique Rahman

DHAKA, Dec 18, 2024 (BSS) – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today said they would respond to the injustice and represses they endured through the implementation of 31-point outline for repairing state structure, not through revenge. 

“In the last 16 years, the houses and businesses of many BNP leaders and activists were demolished. Many others were killed. But we will respond to all of these by making the 31 points a success,” he said while virtually addressing a training workshop on 31 points for repairing the state structure and public engagement for party men.

BNP Training Affairs Committee organized the event in Tangail, Gazipur and Narayanganj. 

Tarique Rahman said more than five hundred BNP leaders and activists were killed in the July-August movement. 

About the torture and repression on Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s family in the past, the BNP acting chairman said he and his mother were tortured while his father was assassinated.

“My brother died under the oppression of the autocrat. We will not respond to this oppression in the same way they did. We will not become inferior just because they are. We will respond to the oppression through implementing the 31-point outline,” he said.
He called upon the party men to work for gaining people’s trust and confidence and establishing their democratic rights.

The BNP acting chairman said when the dictator was depriving the people of their rights and holding on to power at the barrel of the gun, “I said 'Take Back' Bangladesh which meant returning the people's freedom of speech and economic rights to them”. 

To achieve the first goal of ‘Take Back Bangladesh’, the country's democratic parties ousted the dictator with the participation of the people in July-August uprising. The head of the dictatorial regime has been forced to flee the country, he added.

For the last 16 years, Awami League regime destroyed everything in the country to please their foreign masters to gain their own interests, he said.

About BNP’s plan for greenery, Tarique Rahman said they have a plan to plant at least five crore saplings in five years along with carrying out a campaign to make the people aware about conservation of environment.

He underscored the need for re-digging canals and rivers for restoring free flow of water.

Tarique Rahman urged the party men to refrain from doing anything that can destroy people’s trust in the party.

BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie delivered the inaugural speech in the event while Gazipur City BNP President Shawkat Hossain Sarkar chaired it and BNP Media Cell member Anisur Rahman Talukder Khokon moderated the workshop. 

BNP’s Acting Chairman’s Adviser Dr. Mahadi Amin discussed on 31-point outline in detail on the occasion. 

Former MP and freedom fighter Hasan Uddin Sarkar, BNP leaders Halima Akhter, Shammi Akhter, National Executive Committee member Dr. Mazharul Alam and Gazipur City BNP General Secretary Manjurul Karim Rony also spoke.

BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah, BNP’s Dhaka divisional Organizing Secretary Nazrul Islam Azad, party’s Central Executive Committee member Abdus Sattar Patwary, 'Amra BNP Paribar' convener Atiqur Rahman Rumon, Narayanganj City BNP convener Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan and Member Secretary Advocate Abu Al Yusuf Khan Tipu, among others, were present.

At the workshop, the central leaders answered the questions of the leaders and workers on various topics including the party’s future plans, the country’s economy, education, health, environment, agriculture and labor market.