Staff Correspondent:
If the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) gets the responsibility of running the state by the people’s verdict, the name Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), which is associated with the memory of the Liberation War, will be restored, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced. At the same time, he also said that the day of the 2009 Peelkhana massacre will be declared as Martyred Army Day, or Army Massacre Day, or National Mourning Day, after discussions with the army.
Tarique Rahman said these things at a program titled ‘Strong Confidence in Independence and Sovereignty’ organized in honor of former members of the armed forces and their family members at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital on Saturday (February 7, 2026). The discussion meeting was organized by the BNP’s Parliamentary Election-2026 Armed Forces Affairs Sub-Committee.
Tarique Rahman said that after the BDR massacre in Peelkhana in 2009, the fallen and defeated fascist forces changed the name of the BDR, which was intertwined with the memory of the Liberation War, and even the uniforms and colors of the force were changed. He said, “I want to express a personal feeling—if the BNP gets the responsibility of running the state by the people’s verdict, God willing, the name of the BDR will be reinstated.”
He also said that in order to prevent such tragic incidents from happening again in the future, the day of the soldier’s massacre in Peelkhana will be declared as a suitable national day after discussions with the army.
Speaking at the event, Tarique Rahman said that former senior army officers have put forward some important recommendations related to the army. These include the formation of a National Security Council, and proposals to revise and reform some regulations of the Army Act. He said, “If BNP comes to power by the people’s verdict in the upcoming February 12 elections, a committee will be formed comprising former and current army members. There is a plan to scrutinize and implement the recommendations of this committee.”
At the same time, he reiterated his commitment to implement One Rank One Pay, saying that it is also included in the BNP’s election manifesto and will be implemented quickly if it comes to power.
Referring to the army as his larger family, Tarique Rahman said that he grew up in the cantonment. He said, “My mother, the late Begum Khaleda Zia, always believed that a strong army is essential to protect the sovereignty of the country. As a child, I am proud of my father, similarly, as an army officer, I believe that Shaheed Zia made the army proud by declaring independence.”
He said that for the freedom-loving people, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman is a heroic freedom fighter and just as the people are proud of him, so is the Bangladesh Armed Forces.
Tarique Rahman also said that if the army is used for political interests, the main responsibility of the army is disrupted. He also firmly pledged that if the BNP comes to power, the army will not be given the opportunity to be used for political purposes. “BNP has not tarnished the honor of the army in the past, nor will it do so in the future,” he said.
Addressing the retired officers present at the event, Major (retd) Mizanur Rahman said that all those who believe in nationalism should support Tarique Rahman through democratic means. He expressed his hope for a safe Bangladesh by highlighting the torture he suffered in the last 17 years.
BNP Chairman’s Defense Advisor Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar delivered the welcome speech at the event. Former ADC of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, Colonel (retd) Harunur Rashid Khan, Major (retd) Jamal Haider, former BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed’s son Rakin Ahmed and retired members of the armed forces were also present at the event.
