‘Bangladesh belongs to Muslims, Hindus, Christians’: Tarique Rahman calls for unity in secular poll pitch amid unrest

Amid unrest in Bangladesh following the killing of a student leader and outrage in India over the lynching of a Hindu man, Tarique Rahman, the exiled son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returned to the country on Thursday, calling for unity and peace.

Rahman, the 60-year-old leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returned after 17 years in exile and is widely seen as a frontrunner for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2026. Accompanied by his wife, daughter, pet cat, and two aides, he landed in Dhaka and soon held a rally in the Purbachal area, where he was greeted by large crowds.

In his first speech since returning, Rahman emphasized safety and inclusivity. “Today, I want to say that I have a plan for my country… a safe state that people have long hoped for,” he said. “The time has come for all of us to build the country together. This country belongs to people of the hills and the plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. We want to build a safe Bangladesh, where every woman, man, and child can leave home and return safely,” he added, according to The Daily Star.

Rahman repeatedly called for peace and stability, urging citizens to prioritize law and order. “Be it men, women, or children, upholding the peace and dignity of Bangladesh should always be the first priority. We will all work together and build our desired Bangladesh,” he said.

His remarks come amid heightened concerns over minority safety, following the recent killing of Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, which sparked outrage in India. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus condemned the lynching, highlighting ongoing concerns about minority protections in Bangladesh.

Rahman’s homecoming was marked by emotional gestures. At the airport, he removed his shoes, stood on the grass, and scooped up soil as a mark of reverence to his motherland. Supporters lined the streets of Dhaka from early morning, displaying banners and cut-outs of Rahman, with patriotic songs blaring from loudspeakers, AFP reported. Party supporter Alamgir Hossain said Bangladesh was in a “dire situation” and that only Rahman “can fix it.”

Amid ongoing unrest following the death of youth leader Osman Hadi, Rahman urged all citizens, regardless of political affiliation or religion, to join hands in maintaining law and order. He also visited his ailing mother, Khaleda Zia, who has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23.