Ending his 17 years in exile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday (Dec. 25), greeted by a rapturous reception from hundreds of thousands of jubilant supporters, marking his homecoming as a historic and triumphant event.

The BNP leader's arrival marked a significant moment, as he set foot on Bangladeshi soil, felt the earth and dew-soaked grass beneath his feet, and pledged to work together with the people to build the country and implement his plan for the progress of the nation and its people.

The day was dominated by massive crowds, with the reception at the 300 Feet venue in the capital's Purbachal drawing throngs of enthusiastic party leaders, workers, and supporters.

It took more than three hours for Tarique to reach the stage from Shahjalal International Airport, reported our sister newsagency UNB, as he waved and greeted supporters along the way from the red-and-green-decorated bus.

By around 2:30pm, as the bus entered the venue, chants and slogans echoed across the area. Tarique took the stage at 3:50pm and began his speech at 3:57pm with the words, "Dear Bangladesh," offering thanks to Allah for allowing him to return to his motherland.

Earlier, at 11:44am, Tarique, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, arrived on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London via Sylhet at Shahjalal International Airport. Party leaders gave him a warm welcome at the airport, and his mother-in-law greeted him with flower garlands.

Upon arrival, Tarique called BNP Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to express his gratitude for the arrangements and security provided during his return. In a video shared on BNP's verified Facebook page, he thanked the Chief Advisor for the arrangements and asked for prayers before ending the call.

After completing immigration formalities, Tarique stepped out and removed his shoes to feel the country's soil and dew-soaked grass. He was also seen holding a small piece of soil in his hand.

Tarique's pet cat, Jebu, also returned to Bangladesh with the family in a specially arranged box. Earlier, photos of Jebu with Tarique circulated on social media, and the BNP's verified Facebook page shared pictures of the cat in the morning.

Throughout the day, Tarique shared his journey and feelings on his official Facebook page. He posted at 9:34am as the plane entered Bangladesh airspace, writing, "After 6,314 long days, under the skies of Bangladesh!"

During the stopover at Sylhet Airport, he shared a smiling photo with his wife, writing, "Finally in Sylhet, on the soil of Bangladesh!"

After arriving in Dhaka, he posted a prayer praising Allah's supreme power.

Meeting Khaleda Zia

Following the reception at 300 Feet, Tarique visited Evercare Hospital in the capital to see his ailing mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who has been receiving critical care for over a month. Tarique set off from the 300 Feet reception venue around 4:28pm and reached the hospital around 5:54pm in the same bus he had used from the airport.

It was the first reunion of mother and son in Bangladesh after more than 17 years, though they have met several times in London, including in January this year.

Tarique's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman, who accompanied him on the journey from Heathrow Airport to Dhaka, were already at the hospital.

Earlier, while addressing the reception venue, Tarique said his heart lay beside his mother's hospital bed due to her illness. "But I cannot leave behind the people to whom she has dedicated her life in any way. That is why I have stood here today to express my gratitude to you before going to the hospital," he said.

Tarique also urged the people of the country to pray for the recovery of Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in the Bashundhara residential area since November 23, in a critical condition.

After spending nearly one and a half hours with his mother at the hospital, Tarique returned to House No-196 on Gulshan Avenue, where he will be staying.

The BNP Acting Chairman expressed his gratitude to all members of the law enforcement agencies present, saying, "You have worked hard all day. I pray for you and urge you to also pray for me."

BNP thanks Bangladesh

Later, in a press release, BNP said a massive crowd had gathered from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the 300 Feet Expressway to welcome Tarique.

"The historic and unprecedented turnout transformed Dhaka into a sea of people. Tarique Rahman expressed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who came to greet him," it said.

The party said its acting chairman extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to leaders and activists of BNP, its affiliate and allied organisations, as well as leaders and members of various political parties and professional organisations from Dhaka and across the country who came to participate in the reception.

It also said Tarique conveyed his gratitude to the armed forces, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), RAB, police, and other law enforcement and security agencies for ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the reception programme.

BNP said Tarique also expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to all journalists and media personnel on duty during the reception.

Tarique left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment after being released from jail during the military-backed caretaker government period and later settled in the United Kingdom with his family.

Tarique was scheduled to visit the grave of his father and BNP founder, late President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after Juma prayers on Friday. He is also scheduled to visit the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the country's Liberation War heroes.

Tarique is also expected to visit the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi and see the July Uprising victims treated at Pangu Hospital on Saturday, besides registering as a voter.

'I have a plan'

Emphasising the need for maintaining peace, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday said he has a plan for the country and its people and sought the cooperation from all for its implementation.

"We want peace in every possible way...if we remain united we can fulfill the expectations of the people," he said while addressing party leaders, supporters and the nation at a reception at the 300 Feet road in the capital in the afternoon.

Recalling the famous 'I Have a Dream' speech by African-American leader Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr, Tarique said, "Standing on Bangladesh soil today, as a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, I want to say before all of you that I have a plan for the people of my country, for my country."

The BNP leader said his plan is aimed at serving the interests of the people, ensuring national development and changing the fortunes of the country's citizens.

"If this plan and these actions are to be implemented, I will need the cooperation of every person present in this sea of people and of all those across democratic forces of Bangladesh who represent. If you stand by us and support us, Insha'Allah, we will be able to implement my plan," he said.

After concluding his speech, he waved to the party audience in greeting and returned to the microphone once again remind them of his plan for the people and for the country, expressing his vow to implement that plan.

In his speech, which began with the address 'Dear Bangladesh', Tarique expressed his gratitude to Allah, saying that by His endless mercy, he has been able to return to his beloved motherland and people through their prayers.

Recalling the July Uprising and the Liberation War, he said Bangladesh was independent in 1971 at the cost of the blood of millions of martyrs.

In the same way, the BNP leader said the revolution of November 7, 1975, took place to protect the country from the hands of hegemonic forces.

Similarly, the hardworking people of the country had reclaimed their democratic rights in the 90s waging an anti-autocratic movement. "But the conspiracies did not stop there."

"Just as the people of this country achieved independence in 1971, in the same way, people from all walks of life-including students, the general public, farmers, workers, homemakers, women and men, and madrasa students, regardless of party, class, or profession-protected the country's independence and sovereignty on 5 August 2024," Tarique said.

Recalling the martyrs of the July movement, he said a few days ago Osman Hadi, a member of the brave generation of the '24 movement, was 'martyred'.

Tarique said Osman Hadi wanted democracy to be established for the people of the country. "Those who were martyred in the '24 movement, and those, including Osman Hadi, who were victims of abduction and killing during past autocratic rule-if we are to repay the debt of their blood, then let us build the Bangladesh we have long hoped for."

The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh now want to regain their right to speak and to reclaim their democratic rights. "The people of Bangladesh want their rightful entitlements based on merit. Today, the time has come for all of us to work together to build the country."

Addressing the younger generation, he said the cohorts of various hegemonic powers are engaged in conspiracies in many ways. "You must remain patient and calm in the face of any provocation. At all costs, the peace and order of this country must be maintained."

Tarique said that just as the country has people living in hills, it also has people living in the plains, adding, "Bangladesh is home to people of many religions, including Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Hindus."

Expressing his desire to build a safe Bangladesh for everyone, he said, "We want a Bangladesh where any woman, man, or child can leave their home safely and return safely, Insha'Allah."

The BNP leader said half of the country's population are women while over four crore are young people, around five crore are children, about 40 lakh are people with disabilities, and millions are farmers and workers. "These people have expectations from the country. If we unite today and make a commitment together, we can fulfill the hopes of these crores of people, Insha'Allah."

Stressing the importance of peace and order, the BNP Acting Chairman said, "No matter our religion, class, political party, or if we are non-political citizens, we must ensure, at any cost, that peace and order are maintained in our country. At any cost, we must reject disorder. At any cost, we must ensure that people are safe. Children, women, men, of any age, class, profession, or religion-all must be safe. This must be our goal."

Remembering the sacrifices of the martyrs of 1971, he said, those who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 Liberation War had a dream to build such a Bangladesh.

During the past 15 years of the autocratic regime, the BNP leader said hundreds and thousands have been victims of abduction and killing. "Not only political party members but ordinary citizens have faced persecution and even lost their lives while protesting."

Promising to uphold justice based on the Prophet's (pbuh) ideals, he said, "Let us all pledge together that, Insha'Allah, those who take responsibility for running the country in the future will strive to lead it according to the justice exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)."

Tarique said, as a son, his heart lies beside his mother's hospital bed due to her illness. "But I cannot leave behind the people for whom she has dedicated her life in any way. That is why I have stood here today to express my gratitude to you before going to the hospital."

Seeking prayers for his mother's health, he said, "From here, I will go to my mother, the national leader Khaleda Zia. She is someone who has loved the land and the people of this country more than her own life. You are all aware of what has happened to her. As a son, I ask you to pray before Allah today, that He grants her the strength to recover and be well."

India reacts

As might be expected, Tarique's return was being closely monitored in neighbouring India, as elsewhere. In an interview with ANI, Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das said that the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is a politically crucial moment for Bangladesh, which could have implications for both the country's internal stability and Dhaka-New Delhi relations.

Das also believes that Tarique Rahman's presence could help bring about some political stability by uniting moderate political forces, especially when concerns are growing about the rise of right-wing and extremist forces.

On the electoral front, Das said that Tarique Rahman's return could further accelerate the election process. The election date has already been announced and the BNP is actively preparing to finalise its candidates-proving that the party is in full electoral mode. His direct presence in Dhaka is expected to further accelerate the party's campaign and organisational preparations.

Das said, "If one looks at it optimistically, a BNP government led by Tarique Rahman can reduce the heat in India-Bangladesh relations to some extent and build an effective working relationship." However, she cautioned that so far, the BNP has not presented its India policy clearly and consistently.