Tarique pledges to reinstate 'BDR' name, honour Pilkhana martyrs
The BNP chief has pledged that if his party forms the government, the military would not be used for political purposes
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced that his party, if voted to power, intends to restore the historical name of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and establish a national day of mourning to commemorate the army officers killed in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre.
Addressing a views-exchange meeting with retired armed forces personnel and family members of officers killed in the 2009 Pilkhana incident at Hotel Radisson Blu in Dhaka today (7 February), Tarique alleged that after the "planned massacre," the then government changed the name of BDR and even altered its uniform.
"If the BNP is entrusted with state power by the people's mandate, we would like to restore the name BDR, which is intertwined with the memories of the Liberation War," he said.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The BNP chairman also said the party had plans to discuss with the army the possibility of formally declaring the day of the Pilkhana killings as either "Shaheed Sena Day" (Martyrs of the Armed Forces Day) or under another appropriate national designation to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.
Referring to his late mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Tarique said she had always believed that Bangladesh must have a strong military to safeguard independence and sovereignty.
He also expressed pride in his father, former president Ziaur Rahman, saying he believed Zia had made the armed forces proud by declaring the country's independence as a military officer.
"The people consider the armed forces as the reliable guardian of the country's independence and sovereignty," the BNP chairman said, adding that engaging the military in roles beyond its responsibility could undermine its core purpose.
He criticised what he described as the erosion of democratic norms over the past decade and a half, claiming that both democracy and national sovereignty had been placed at risk. He further alleged that even the anniversary of the Pilkhana killings had not been observed with due importance.
However, Tarique stopped short of promising to "restore" the army's lost glory. "Glory is not something that can be handed back; it must be earned and upheld," he said, adding that members of the armed forces must remain vigilant in safeguarding their own honour and dignity.
He pledged that if the BNP forms the government, the military would not be used for political purposes. "The BNP did not do so in the past, does not do so now, and will not do so in the future," he said, describing his party as one that stands for Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.
Tarique also said the armed forces should remain aware of political developments but must not become absorbed into politics in a way that compromises professionalism. "Professionalism must not be overshadowed by the cloak of politics," he said.
The BNP chairman revealed that retired military officers had raised demands, including the formation of a National Security Council and amendments to certain provisions of the Army Act.
Calling the proposals important, he said that if the BNP assumes office, it plans to form a committee comprising serving and retired officers to examine the recommendations and implement them in phases.
Among the demands highlighted by former officers was the introduction of a "One Rank, One Benefit" policy. Tarique said the BNP had already incorporated the provision into its party manifesto.
