Unite against politics of vengeance

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called for national unity to end the practice of political vengeance and pave the way for a new chapter in Bangladesh's history.

"Let us unite to end political vengeance and open a new chapter in history, where no one's life or family will be destroyed because of political differences," Tarique said in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page last night.

He put up the post following his acquittal in the two cases related to the August 21 grenade attack.

"The beauty of truth is that it inevitably triumphs over propaganda and conspiracy, giving us faith that, eventually, justice and fairness prevail."

He also reiterated the BNP's commitment to fostering democratic values in the country, highlighting the need for diversity and inclusion.

"We pledge to uphold the spirit of democracy that thrives on diversity of faiths, beliefs, and ideologies, empowering the people of Bangladesh to define their own fate through electoral participation," he said in a statement.

Highlighting his vision for the nation, Tarique expressed his aspirations, saying, "In that journey, we aspire to establish the rule of law, human rights, and freedom of expression, safeguarding the rights and liberties of every citizen and building an inclusive, tolerant, and rules-based society."

BNP REACTION

The BNP expressed satisfaction over the High Court verdict acquitting Tarique and other accused in the August 21 grenade attack cases.

The party leaders also viewed this verdict as proof that all the cases filed against Tarique were politically motivated and part of conspiracies.

At a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi hailed the verdict, saying, "Justice has been served... Tarique and other accused in the two cases had been deprived of justice under the Awami League government."

Rizvi said that the cases were manipulated during the tenure of the Awami League, specifically accusing retired police officer Abdul Kahar Akhand, who was reappointed as the investigation officer, of having "malicious intentions."

Following the announcement of the verdict, party leaders and activists brought out a celebratory rally in the Nayapaltan area.

In a statement issued from London, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "Through this verdict, it has been proven that all the cases filed against Tarique Rahman were part of a political conspiracy."

In a separate programme, the party's standing committee Member Mirza Abbas said the grenade attack was a "planned act by a foreign power" and had no connection to the BNP.

"A foreign power carried out this heinous act to frame Begum Khaleda Zia and our leader, Tarique Rahman," he said in a programme at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

Abbas called the verdict "good news for justice" during the month of victory and expressed hope for Tarique's safe return to Bangladesh.

AWAMI LEAGUE PROTESTS

Mahbubul Alam Hanif, joint general secretary of the Awami League central committee, condemned and protested the acquittal of all individuals sentenced to death and life imprisonment in the cases.

"Today's verdict proves that the government has completely hijacked the judiciary," he said in a statement yesterday.

Hanif said, "We have seen the practical implementation of Dr Yunus's 'reset button' through this verdict. He wanted to erase everything from our memories. This is a part of the ongoing conspiracy to completely erase an incident like the horrific massacre of August 21."

"This farcical verdict is a disgrace to the nation, despite having clear and specific evidence. In November 2008, Mufti Abdul Hannan, a leader of Harkat-ul-Jihad, was arrested. In his statement presented to the court, Hannan confessed that with the assistance of top figures in the BNP-Jamaat government, he carried out the grenade attack on the Awami League rally," he said in a statement.

"Today's verdict once again demonstrates that this government has completely held the judiciary hostage. The culture of impunity and mob justice prevalent in the country will soon demand a heavy price," he added.