Barrister Mahabubur Rahman: A significant controversy has erupted regarding a photograph of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, with US President Donald Trump. The photo was uploaded on October 3rd to the Prime Minister’s Office and Tarique Rahman’s personal Facebook page. It was taken during an event at the United Nations. In this era of AI, the opposition has initiated propaganda by manipulating this picture in various ways. A large segment of workers and supporters of the ousted fascist Awami League and the current opposition party Jamaat are participating in this propaganda. Many, out of misunderstanding, mockingly compare Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s photo to that of fascist Sheikh Hasina, raising questions. However, on October 4th, the US Embassy in Dhaka’s official page shared the Prime Minister’s picture, effectively shutting down these propagandists.
The question arises: why this propaganda? What are the motives behind it? The biggest question is, after the fall of fascism in a revolution led by the younger generation, why is the new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman being compared to the ousted Sheikh Hasina? Why are Jamaat workers forming an alliance with the ousted Awami League to spread propaganda? What is the ultimate destination of all this? Who and which forces are behind such eagerness to destabilize Tarique Rahman? It is crucial to know the answers to these questions, just as it is vital for the government and BNP as a party to consider more nuanced strategies to counter this propaganda.
Essentially, the government must create an opportunity for the public to understand that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is not like the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and that if he fails, the welfare of the Bangladeshi state and its people will be jeopardized. I wish to analyze the aforementioned issues in three parts.
One. The first question is, why should Tarique Rahman not be compared to the ousted Sheikh Hasina? In this regard, I want to highlight the news dissemination surrounding Sheikh Hasina’s receipt of a fake South-South Award in 2013. That year, as a journalist, I attended the UN General Assembly. Upon arriving in the United States, I heard that the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, had received the South-South Award from the UN. Her advisors held a press conference to announce this. All newspapers in Bangladesh published it as lead news. A 325-member national committee was announced in Bangladesh to felicitate Sheikh Hasina. Meanwhile, through a senior American journalist, I learned that the news was not accurate. Investigation revealed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present at the award ceremony, but her name was not even in the initial selection for the award. News, including interviews with relevant officials, was published in the online edition of the then Amar Desh newspaper. Initially, no other newspaper dared to publish the news. Manabzamin Online and New Age later published follow-up reports. But by then, most Bangladeshi newspapers had already released entire special editions congratulating Sheikh Hasina. Later, all news and congratulatory messages published on the Awami League’s own website regarding this matter were withdrawn.
Incidentally, there was no noticeable media frenzy in Bangladesh regarding current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s UN visit. As Prime Minister of a government formed after the July Revolution, Tarique Rahman played a strong role in advocating for his country’s position on several issues during his UN visit. He himself dislikes exaggerated media hype. Tarique Rahman is attempting to disseminate this preference throughout the state. He has formally taken steps against the use of titles such as ‘Deshnayak’ (Leader of the Nation), ‘Rashtranayak’ (Statesman), and ‘Sir’. In fact, this is why I wrote in the headline that Tarique Rahman should not be compared to the ousted Sheikh Hasina. Tarique Rahman is a ‘patriotic’ leader of the people. He proves this with every step he takes. His empathy for political opponents also sets an example. For instance, in Bangladesh’s deeply divided political situation, where the Awami League attempted to exhume Ziaur Rahman’s body, Tarique Rahman visited the mausoleum of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Gopalganj. Let me share a historical fact with the readers in this regard. Around 2014-15, Tarique Rahman was continuously delivering lectures in London, using historical references. One day, at Kingston Lodge, he told me, “Listen, no matter what we say about Sheikh Mujib, you cannot write Bangladesh’s history by excluding him. If, for example, Sheikh Mujib had not strongly urged Indira Gandhi to withdraw her troops upon his return to the country in 1972, Bangladesh’s history might have been written differently!” This signifies that Tarique Rahman acknowledges historical truths and has long prepared to build a beautiful Bangladesh based on mutual harmony. In short, let me tell another incident. Sheikh Hasina widely publicized Bangladesh’s victory in maritime boundary disputes in 2014. In reality, Dr. Dipu Moni committed treachery against the country in the maritime boundary case with India. India received more than it had asked for. I published a book on this subject. I presented the book to Tarique Rahman and offered him a detailed analysis. He told me in two sentences, “You actively work on how to utilize what Bangladesh has gained to protect national independence and increase marine resources. Simultaneously, prepare with experts on how we can legally reclaim what we lost in this verdict in the future.” This one-minute instruction proves that Tarique Rahman is fundamentally a patriotic leader, and it would be utterly incorrect to compare him to the vengeful, ousted Sheikh Hasina. Therefore, addressing those who are spreading propaganda about the photo with Donald Trump, I say there is no point in spreading misinformation about Tarique Rahman’s personality. While he will undoubtedly have limitations in addressing Bangladesh’s ongoing political and economic crises, Tarique Rahman will never allow this country to revert to old fascism – this is his political commitment. Therefore, help him move the country forward. Such cooperation is essential from the opposition, as is strong support from his own party workers.
Two. Why should the opposition parties Jamaat and NCP cooperate with Tarique Rahman? This question will be in everyone’s mind. The answer to this question is also known to all. If the fascism that we all collectively ousted returns, no one will be safe. After a long 21 years, the Awami League returned to power in 1996. Subsequently, after 2009, they hanged dozens of top leaders of Jamaat-BNP and forcibly disappeared or killed thousands of activists. This history is known to all.
However, many are now actively working on the ground to bring back fascism. Invisible forces have begun spending billions of dollars. The other day, in a discussion with a top criminal lawyer, a King’s Counsel, in the UK, I learned how much money the fascists are investing to return. And forces from “the other side” (likely referring to India or other external powers) are assisting in this. The whispers that have already begun in the media, police, administration, and judicial circles indicate that if the anti-fascist unity is destroyed, the country will plunge into a new crisis. And none of you will have the capacity to tackle that crisis.
Since the country’s economic and social situation is extremely fragile, it is crucial for all anti-fascist forces to work together in nation-building through mutual consultation and cooperation. In this regard, the younger generation is urged to play an even more responsible role. It is extremely important for the opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami to remember the mistake of 1996. By bringing the Awami League back into politics and power, you ensured the hanging of your own leaders. Please, do not create an opportunity for the Awami League’s return and jeopardize the lives of the July Revolutionaries. Otherwise, you will not be able to atone for this responsibility. Of course, the government and the ruling party BNP also need to play a more responsible role in this matter.
Three. How much more responsible could the government and BNP have been in the recent crisis? Or what kind of behavior would satisfy the public with the government? Look, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman himself addresses all of the country’s problems. Currently, he has taken various alternative measures to resolve the biggest crisis, the electricity problem. He forced an MP to resign over hospital vandalism in Mirpur. He disbanded the Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP and youth organization committees. By doing so, he has taken responsibility for these offenses and tried to ensure that such crimes do not occur in the future. As Prime Minister, he is constantly striving day and night to resolve crises.
Upon returning to the country in December 2025, Tarique Rahman lost his beloved mother, Begum Khaleda Zia. After announcing his plan for the country and two months of relentless election campaigning, he formed the government. In the first six months, he took the initiative to implement his plan. He implemented several important schemes including the Family Card, river dredging, and Farmers’ Card. He speaks little and does not respond to abuses from the opposition. However, he is constantly striving to advance the country.
However, one crisis, in my opinion, he has not yet been able to address effectively. That is – as a party, BNP has become very exhausted and worn out over the last twenty years. Although they gained some momentum after August 5th, having been plagued by lawsuits and attacks, they have not fully returned to discipline. Among many who have become MPs and ministers, there seems to be a sense of detachment from the party workers. This is further increasing the frustration among activists. Many have resorted to indiscipline to overcome financial hardship – it is crucial to take effective measures to resolve this issue.
Because this time, the BNP government has to contend with its former ally Jamaat-e-Islami. Additionally, managing the NCP, the youth generation’s party that led the July Revolution, has become the most challenging task. They shed blood just a few days ago, and the scent of fresh blood is still with them. You cannot deal with them in the old style. On the other hand, the fascists have also started to re-emerge. The Awami League maintains a strong position both domestically and internationally. In this situation, it is crucial to boost the morale of one’s own party workers. Just as it is necessary to reorganize BNP and its affiliated organizations down to the grassroots level, it is also essential to ensure that they can internalize Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s ‘plan’ for nation-building. Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student wing) virtually has no committee. There is an ongoing rebellion regarding Jubo Dal’s (BNP’s youth wing) committee. Top leaders of Swechchhasebak Dal (BNP’s volunteer wing) are in government. In this situation, a segment of BNP and its affiliated organizations’ workers are gripped by frustration.
Furthermore, doubts often arise as to whether important government ministers are aware of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s declared 31-point agenda or ‘plan’. Their actions and speeches indicate a failure to follow the Prime Minister’s lead. Questions have already begun to surface regarding whether the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance are truly comprehending the country’s actual situation and taking appropriate steps. This government’s biggest test will be the Ministries of Home Affairs, Law, Finance, and Power. It is essential to make these ministries more effective.
However, the hopeful news is that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remains optimistic about beloved Bangladesh even amidst the ongoing crisis. He is striving to build the nation, risking his own life. This is why Tarique Rahman is the primary target of supremacism. Propaganda against him is ongoing on social media. And unknowingly, the younger generation, influencers, and even the July Revolutionaries are getting involved in this propaganda. I hope that the anti-fascist forces will assist Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in his positive journey and contribute to building a new Bangladesh through constructive criticism. Similarly, I expect all nationalist forces to overcome their frustrations and stand by Tarique Rahman. Let us be fellow travelers with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in building a new Bangladesh.
Author: Barrister Mahabubur Rahman, former journalist, Reuters, and currently a Barrister and Solicitor of the UK Supreme Court.
(The opinions expressed in the open column section are solely those of the author. The published opinions may not necessarily align with the editorial policy of BD24Live.com.)
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