Ensure no gaps remain in Tarique Rahman’s security: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said there must be no security lapses for BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, emphasising that his protection should be completely foolproof—“without even a hole, like Behula’s bridal chamber.”

He made the remarks on Sunday, January 19, while speaking to journalists after visiting Firoza Akhter, the wife of martyr Firoz Ahmed, who was killed during the mass uprising, near Lalmatia Women’s College in the capital.

Rizvi said news regarding Tarique Rahman’s security has caused concern, adding that the government must treat the matter with utmost seriousness, as adequate measures are not visibly in place.

He said a meeting with families of those seriously injured was held the previous day, during which Tarique Rahman was deeply moved by a grieving mother’s plea. He immediately instructed Rizvi and Atiqur Rahman Rumon to visit the family in Dhaka and gather details of their problems.

Rizvi said they visited the family accordingly. Martyr Firoz was a resident of Goalia Police Station area in Rajshahi. He described Firoz’s killing during the violent final moments of the fleeing fascist regime on August 5 as a brutal example of indiscriminate violence.

He added that the family is currently staying with relatives in Dhaka, and BNP will maintain constant communication with them.

Rizvi noted that Firoz had two children and said their future and education were a major concern for their mother. He assured that BNP would make every effort to ensure the children’s education continues uninterrupted.

Regarding the election, Rizvi expressed hope for a free, fair, and inclusive process but said certain developments and the Election Commission’s conduct sometimes raise doubts about neutrality. Quoting Shakespeare’s “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,” he said a similar stench of decay is being felt.

He urged the Election Commission and the government to ensure voters can cast ballots freely and that no subtle manipulation occurs.

He also said that choosing not to participate in the election is a party’s own decision, but the government must act responsibly to ensure public confidence in a fair electoral process.

Others present included leaders of Amra BNP Poribar, BNP central leaders, and party officials from various levels.