BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said that his party intends to exercise restraint despite what he described as the Election Commission's (EC) controversial roles and positions in recent times.
He made the remarks while speaking at a views-exchange meeting jointly organised by Amra BNP Poribar and Mayer Daak at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital.
"Due to the obligations of the Election Commission, BNP cannot reveal in detail its plans for the future of Bangladesh," Tarique Rahman said, adding that the party is refraining from disclosing certain strategies in line with EC rules and the Election Code of Conduct.
He alleged that the Election Commission has taken several controversial steps and said that, under the circumstances, BNP has chosen to demonstrate patience as a responsible political party.
Referring to the long anti-fascist movement, Tarique Rahman said the struggle had seen both slow and intense phases, but BNP leaders and activists never abandoned the streets despite years of enforced disappearances, killings, abductions, false cases, harassment, and torture.
"In many families, when one brother was forcibly disappeared, another brother came forward to take his place and continued the movement, vowing to make it stronger," he said.
Rejecting claims that BNP leaders or activists had gone underground, Tarique Rahman said that BNP members never went into hiding or became inactive in the name of political strategy. He said he firmly believes that no political party can be suppressed when its leaders and activists take an uncompromising stand against injustice despite conspiracies and propaganda.
Highlighting the human cost of enforced disappearances, Tarique Rahman said many children are still missing and continue to wait for their fathers to return, while countless mothers hope to hear their children call them "mother" again. He described this prolonged suffering as a grave responsibility of the state.
"The pain of families who are victims of disappearances and state violence is so deep that it is difficult to find words to comfort them," he said.
Addressing law enforcement personnel, Tarique Rahman called on alert and responsible police officers who believe in democracy to ensure that those attempting to obstruct the democratic process by creating controversy are not allowed to succeed.
As a key speaker at the meeting with families of victims of disappearances and killings, he said that under what he described as fascist rule, many people were subjected to trials and thousands became victims of enforced disappearances.
He noted that while some family members of disappeared persons were present at the programme, many other families are still waiting for answers about the fate of their loved ones.
Tarique Rahman said the truth regarding enforced disappearances can only be uncovered by actively searching for and rescuing the disappeared persons, adding that strategic planning in this regard is being carried out discreetly.
He further said that no external force is required to suppress BNP, as the party itself possesses the strength to resist any unjust power or harmful system used against democracy.
Despite what he described as the continued controversial role of certain forces, Tarique Rahman said BNP, as a strong political party, remains committed to moving forward with patience.
He said justice must be ensured for those who fought for freedom in 1971, led the mass uprising in 1990, were abducted on July 16, and sacrificed their lives during the movements of July 24 and August 5, stressing that a democratic government is essential to achieve that goal.
"If a democratic government is formed, trials for abductions and state violence must be ensured, and the state must take initiatives to support families who are victims of enforced disappearances and repression," he said.
Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh now has an opportunity to build a humane and accountable state, adding that if BNP forms a government, respected citizens, prominent national figures, and responsible state representatives would be involved in this process.
He warned that missing this opportunity to establish a responsible democratic government would amount to injustice to the martyrs, as their sacrifices would not be properly recognised.
"To ensure justice for every injustice, a democratic government is essential," he said, adding that justice for victims' families under the country's laws can only be guaranteed through a government that truly reflects the will of the people.
Calling on everyone to remain committed, Tarique Rahman urged participants to take a pledge and hold on to hope, saying that BNP would work patiently to ensure justice for all wrongs and proper recognition for the sacrifices of martyrs.
"The state can never forget you. BNP has planned initiatives to honour the sacrifices of all martyrs," he said.
During the programme, several family members of forcibly disappeared persons shared personal accounts of pain, grief, and suffering.
