CrossroadsTarique Rahman’s Return Amid Turmoil: Bangladesh at a Political and Moral
The return of Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, to Dhaka on Thursday after a 17-year exile has dramatically altered Bangladesh’s political landscape.
As the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Rahman’s homecoming—just months ahead of the general elections—has energised party cadres and supporters.
Yet, his return coincides with one of the most turbulent and unsettling phases in the country’s recent history.
Rahman’s arrival comes not in a moment of stability, but at a time when Bangladesh is gripped by lawlessness, deep social unrest, and growing international scrutiny.
The nation is still reeling from the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a development that has unleashed a chain of violent events—lynchings, targeted killings, street protests, and attacks on media houses and cultural institutions.
Interim Government Under Pressure
The interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, which came to power riding a wave of student-led protests, is now struggling to contain the very forces that helped it ascend.
The assassination of a prominent student leader, repeated incidents of mob violence, and escalating protests demanding justice have exposed the fragility of law and order.
The situation has been further complicated by the blanket ban on the Awami League, which has effectively cleared the electoral field for the BNP.
While this has boosted Rahman’s political prospects, it has also raised serious questions about the credibility and fairness of the upcoming polls.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the evolving situation, urging the interim administration to ensure that democratic processes are upheld and that the electoral rights of voters are fully protected.
Minority Violence Sparks Outrage in India
Perhaps the most alarming dimension of Bangladesh’s current crisis is the surge in violence against minorities.
The lynching of two Hindu men—Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and Amrit Mondal in Rajbari district—within a short span has triggered widespread outrage in India.
At least 18 arrests have been made so far in the Dipu Das case, but the incidents have deepened fears among minority communities.
These killings have sparked protests across India, with organisations such as the Bajrang Dal and the Vishva Hindu Parishad staging demonstrations outside Bangladeshi missions.
Political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress, have also taken the issue to the streets, demanding a strong and unequivocal response from New Delhi.
The anger is not confined to political groups alone. Social, humanitarian, and rights organisations in India have voiced a growing sentiment that “enough is enough,” urging decisive action if further attacks on Hindus or other minorities—including Christians and Buddhists—occur.
Notably, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has acknowledged that nearly 2,900 cases of violence and atrocities against minorities have already been reported in Bangladesh, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
A Defining Moment for Rahman—and Bangladesh
Against this backdrop, Tarique Rahman’s return is being seen as far more than a routine political homecoming.
It is a moment of reckoning—for him personally and for Bangladesh as a nation. While his presence has reinvigorated the BNP, it also places on his shoulders the burden of navigating a country fractured by violence, fear, and polarisation.
Whether Rahman can provide political stability, reassure minorities, and steer Bangladesh back towards democratic norms remains an open question.
With the world watching closely and regional implications at stake, Bangladesh now stands at a crossroads—where the choices made in the coming months will determine not just who governs, but what kind of nation emerges from this prolonged crisis.
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