BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman made a dramatic return to Dhaka on Thursday after 17 years in exile, stepping back into a nation gripped by turmoil and into crowds that surged to welcome him home.
The son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia landed to celebrtions scenes and ongoing tensions, using his first speech on Bangladeshi soil after years to draw a parallel between the country's political upheaval that led Hasina's exodus in 2024 and its 1971 liberation struggle. He also invoked Martin Luther King Jr's historic refrain, offering his own version: "I have a plan."
Rahman arrived from London with his wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, and their pet cat Jebu.
His return drew huge crowds in the capital. As reported by The Daily Star, he boarded a "bulletproof bus" painted in the red and green, theme colours of Bangladesh national flag. He stepped onto the grass outside the airport, removed his shoes, and scooped up soil in a gesture of reverence, as AFP reported.
The videos showed Rahman waving to supporters before entering a security-heavy convoy.
In his first speech after landing, quoted by Bangladesh-based Prothom Alo, Rahman said, "Just as the people of this country achieved independence in 1971, people from all walks of life, all together, defended the independence and sovereignty of this country in 2024.."
Today, the people of Bangladesh want to regain their right to speak. They want to regain their right to democracy
He added, "It is time for us all to build the country together. In this country, there are people from the hills, plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians. We want to build a safe Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, no matter who a woman, man, or child is, they should be able to leave their homes safely and return safely."
Declaring that he has a plan for the nation, he said implementation would require the participation and cooperation of every citizen.
Remembering Osman Hadi, Rahman said, "Osman Hadi wanted the people of this country to regain their economic rights. To repay the blood debt of those who were martyred in 1971 and 24, we must build the desired Bangladesh."
Rahman's return positions him as the most prominent face of the BNP at a time when his mother, former PM Khaleda Zia, is too unwell to lead the party. His arrival is expected to shape not only Bangladesh's internal politics but also its relationship with India. Ties between the two neighbours have been strained since the 2024 political upheaval and the subsequent exile of Sheikh Hasina, whose presence in India continues to influence bilateral dynamics.After facing massive public anger in August 2024, Hasina left a violence-hit Dhaka as crowds surrounded her residence, leaving her little choice but to seek refuge in India. Her departure sparked friction between New Delhi and the new government in Dhaka, and widened the political divide with the BNP, now reinvigorated by Rahman's homecoming.With national elections approaching, the absence of Hasina and the renewed momentum behind the BNP raise major stakes for both countries.
India is already navigating heightened unease as Bangladesh grapples with unrest following the assassination of student leader Osman Hadi. The situation escalated further when Dipu Chandra Das, a member of a minority community, was killed after being set on fire by a mob, an incident that triggered widespread protests across several cities in India.Amid this volatile backdrop, Rahman's return adds a new political dimension that may influence how Dhaka and New Delhi recalibrate their relationship in the months ahead.
According to local media reports, Rahman is expected to visit his mother, the ailing 80-year-old former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Outside the hospital, BNP leaders and supporters gathered wearing party-colored jerseys, caps, headbands, and holding flags, placards, and badges featuring the BNP logo.Shortly after landing, Rahman posted a photograph on Facebook captioned, “Back in Bangladesh skies after 6,314 days!”