Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chair Tarique Rahman on Sunday called for a qualitative shift in national politics and student activism, saying that the people of Bangladesh demanded change beyond the era of fugitive autocrat.
鈥楩ifty-four years have passed since the independence. Bangladesh is now a mature nation. In this mature Bangladesh, people no longer want the politics of division, hostility, vengeance, retaliation. Political parties must, therefore, be accountable to the people accordingly,鈥� he said while virtually addressing a rally organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
Chhatra Dal organised the rally at Shahbagh in the city as part of the BNP鈥檚 month-long programme marking one year since the July mass uprising.
At the rally, Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam announced a 12-point action plan for the organisation, pledging to combat terrorism and crime on the campuses while promoting safe accommodation, nutrition, and a study-friendly environment.
The action plan included building an inclusive state based on equality, human dignity, social justice, ensuring women鈥檚 equal participation in education, nation-building, and developing a universal education policy.
Rakibul also vowed to curb unemployment, prevent examination question leaks and corruption, create drug-free campuses, and support social and cultural movements upholding democracy and independence.
He emphasised the organisation鈥檚 commitment to regular student union elections and building a truly democratic Bangladesh with freedom of expression, human rights, and institutional autonomy.
Tarique, in his speech, said that instead of engaging in a politics of rhetoric, it was time to begin the politics focused on improving people鈥檚 quality of life.
鈥業n a Bangladesh free from fugitive autocrat, the people demand a qualitative change in politics from all political parties. There must be a qualitative transformation of the traditional and conventional form of student politics,鈥� he said.
Tarique urged all students and the young generation to remain vigilant and play a conscious role to prevent the rise or rehabilitation of fascism, extremism and radicalism in the country.
The BNP acting chair said that, alongside being aware of national politics, students and student organisations must remain vocal and active on the issues and prospects of their respective campuses.
He urged them to pledge to build themselves as the most capable individuals for a knowledge- and merit-based governance system in the future Bangladesh, saying that gaining knowledge and pursuing education must be their first and foremost priority.
Tarique, during his address, unveiled the BNP鈥檚 long-term vision for a humane, employment-driven, and youth-empowered Bangladesh, calling for reform in education, job creation, and digital inclusion.
He said that the party intended to begin a new era of politics featuring humanity, social values, and national responsibility.
He also said that the BNP鈥檚 future policies would prioritise job creation, safe work environment, and transforming the country鈥檚 population into productive human resources.
Tarique mentioned that the BNP was working on a plan to restructure the education system with a focus on practical and technical skills from the school level.
A specialised expert team within the party has already been tasked with developing a modern curriculum to ensure that students can enter the workforce without facing employment-related frustration, he said.
Tarique also underlined the need to empower both youth and women through inclusive national planning, especially in an era shaped by globalisation and technology.
He stressed the importance of enabling students to master multiple languages and access global opportunities, particularly in the expanding digital economy.
Tarique said that over 10 lakh young freelancers were earning a significant volume of foreign currency but facing challenges in bringing their earnings into Bangladesh due to international payment gateway restrictions.
He assured that the BNP had begun talks with platforms like PayPal and Stripe and promised to resolve these issues promptly, if elected.
Concluding his speech, Tarique urged all students and young voters to cast their first vote for the BNP鈥檚 electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in his speech, warned Chhatra Dal activists about unscrupulous sections鈥� conspiracies to divide and rule the citizen. 鈥楾he ousted Awami League regime leader Sheikh Hasina, currently sheltered in neighbouring India, is trying to distabilise the country,鈥� he said.
Fakhrul told the Chhatra Dal activists to keep vigil and act boldly against anti-Bangladesh conspiracies.
BNP vice-chair Shamsuzzaman Dudu said that the London meeting between the interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and the BNP acting chair Tareque Rahman made citizens hopeful about the next national election by February 2026.
BNP chair Khaleda Zia鈥檚 adviser Amanullah Aman requested Tarique Rahman to return to Bangladesh quickly and take the lead of Bangladesh鈥檚 democratic reform while joint secretary general Khairul Kabir Khokon questioned the interim government for delaying the next national election.
Chhatra Dal leaders and activists from several campuses, including the Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Jagannath University, Chittagong University, Dhaka College, Eden College, Bangla College, City College, Titumur College, and Kabi Nazrul Islam College attended the student rally.
Public transports were few on several city roads on Sunday. The number of private vehicles was also low on the road on the day.
Many commuters were seen walking to their destinations as Shahbagh remained blocked amid the JCD programme.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ramna Division deputy commissioner for traffic Md Shafiqul Islam told 抖阴精品 on Sunday evening that no traffic congestion was reported to them amid the political programmes in Shahabgh and Central Shaheed Minar areas.
鈥楾he traffic movement was under control. Police were active in keeping the vehicular movement under control throughout the day,鈥� he said.
As per the DMP public notice on Saturday, commuters were asked to use alternate routes and follow designated diversions which helped reduce congestion, added the police official.
City residents were advised to use alternative routes via diversion points, including Hotel Intercontinental, Katabon, Matsya Bhaban, TSC , or Raju Sculpture and adjacent roads.
