BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has raised serious questions about the murder of demolition trader Lal Chand Sohag near Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka, alleging that the suspected killer was brought in from elsewhere and is being shielded from justice.
Speaking virtually from London on Saturday at an event organized by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the Lake Shore Grand Hotel in Gulshan, Tarique addressed families of the victims of the July-August student uprising. During the program, he listened to testimonies of the victims’ families and pledged to pursue justice for the martyrs.
Tarique said, “The boy who died may have had connections with Jubo Dal. But what we are hearing is that the killer was not local — he was brought from outside and has not yet been arrested. Why is the main suspect still free while others are being detained? Why isn’t he even accused yet?”
He asserted that BNP’s policy has always been to hold wrongdoers accountable, regardless of their political affiliation. “We’ve never said someone should be spared just because of party ties. The party will not shield any criminal. If someone has done wrong, why isn’t the administration arresting them?”
Tarique called out the government’s inaction, saying, “Law enforcement agencies are sitting idle. Who controls them — BNP? No. The government does. So why aren’t they acting?”
Referring to a broader political context, he warned, “A new conspiracy has begun. We must all stay alert. Our fight for democracy and human rights is ongoing.”
Tarique also criticized the role of certain political parties during the country’s liberation war and said that many of them failed to stand with the people. “Some sang songs of distant lands, others echoed the voices of neighboring countries. Even now, we see parties promoting foreign narratives instead of focusing on national unity.”
He also commented on recent political dialogues and media narratives: “Media reports often frame BNP as the party that says ‘no’ to everything. But our leadership is questioning proposals based on experience and responsibility. If the government just wanted compliance, why call for dialogue in the first place?”
Tarique emphasized that BNP had already proposed the ‘July Charter’ three months earlier, but the government continues to ignore it. “Why is the government not acknowledging this? Justice is not just a demand of the victims’ families; it’s a demand of every democracy-loving citizen.”
He added, “If we are elected through a fair democratic process, we want to form a united government by bringing all political parties together. The country is broken and divided — its institutions are collapsing. To rebuild it, national unity is essential.”
During the event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged the government to investigate and identify the real perpetrators behind recent violent incidents. “If justice is not served, the nation will hold you responsible.”
BNP leaders Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Rakibul Islam Bakul, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib, and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir also addressed the gathering.
Family members of several July uprising martyrs, including those from Cox’s Bazar, Barisal, Tangail, Dinajpur, Noakhali, Magura, and Bhola, shared emotional stories. A total of 142 relatives of the martyrs attended the event.