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Tarique Rahman

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Tarique Rahman
File:Tarique.jpg
Born (1965-11-20) November 20, 1965 (age 58)
East Pakistan, Pakistan
(now Bangladesh)
TitleSenior Vice Chairman
Political partyBangladesh Nationalist Party
SpouseZubaida Rahman
ChildrenZaima Rahman
Parent(s)Ziaur Rahman (Father)
Khaleda Zia (Mother)

Tarique Rahman (Bengali: তারেক রহমান ) (also spelled as Tareq Rahman) is a Bangladeshi politician. He is the Senior Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Education and early career

Rahman addressing a grass-roots council

Tarique Rahman is the son of former President of Bangladesh Major General Ziaur Rahman,[1] one of the sector commanders in the Bangladeshi War of Independence in 1971, and Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He spent most of his life in Dhaka Cantonment.[citation needed]

He attended Shaheen High School and College, primarily meant for the children of the Army personnel. Later he was admitted to Dhaka Residential Model College and attained the Secondary School Certificate (SSC).[2] Later he studied in Adamjee Cantonment Public School & College and passed Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations.[2]

Rahman entered the University of Dhaka [clarification needed] as a student of International Relations.[3] While at the University, he read the political thought of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire, Marx and exceptional thinkers. He concentrated more on socio-economic and political subjects, including the in-depth study of gradual development of democracy and dynamics of economic liberalisation.[3]

Rahman graduated[clarification needed] in a volatile situation at the height of the movement against the autocratic regime of Hussain Muhammad Ershad,[3] which his mother Begum Khaleda Zia was leading. Upon completion of his studies, Rahman became an entrepreneur and established several businesses in the textile and agro-based industries.[citation needed]

Political career

In 1988 he started his political career as a primary member of the party's Gabtali Upazila and later Bogra District committee member.[4]

He actively assembled support for the party during the national elections of 1991, when the transition was taking place from the autocratic ruling to the democratic government. He was a member of the BNP’s National Campaign Strategy Committee, and was also responsible for coordinating the election campaigns in five constituencies from which his mother Begum Khaleda Zia was contesting.[3] During that period, he proactively organised the BNP units of Bogra and changed the inherent cultures to make politics more production and development oriented.[3]

After the BNP’s success in the national elections of 1991 and the formation of the new government, Rahman was offered a senior role in the party as recognition of his contributions. However, he was reluctant to take up a higher position in order to have enough time to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. For many years, he remained active in developing the Bogra units of the BNP. During the national elections of 1996, the party grassroots and the senior leadership requested Rahman to contest a constituency from Bogra. But he declined the offer with a view to furthering his work at the grassroots levels and coordinating the election campaigns for his mother.[5]

During the ruling of the Awami League government in 1996–2001, Rahman mobilized movements against the actions of the government. He actively campaigned to address issues of economic deprivation and started championing a countrywide consultation programme aimed at publicising the plight of the people living in rural areas.[4]

This large-scale programme, the first in the history of Bangladesh of this nature, drove mass mobilization against the government, which in turn, played an instrumental role in fostering the return of the BNP to power. He established the secret ballot system in Bogra to elect the leader.[4]

In the national elections held in 2001, the party won a landslide victory with a two-thirds majority.[6] There was immense pressure on Rahman from the party grassroots, as well as the national leadership, to assume a position within the government. But he repeatedly refused and pledged to keep working within the party.[7]

File:Tarique Rahman in Mujib Tomb.jpg
Tarique Rahman in Mujib Tomb

In June 2002, he was appointed as Joint Secretary General of BNP by its Standing Committee. After taking office as the Senior Joint General Secretary, Rahman launched a program called "Grassroots Level Conference" in every district of the country as well as "Divisional conferences" and "Upazila Conferences" aiming to know the view of party workers.[8] He also attended hundreds of party meetings all over the country, with leaders of the party accompanying him in those meetings.[citation needed]

While visiting in 2002, Tungipara Upazila of Gopalganj District, Rahman visited the tomb of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation of Bangladesh and paid respects on behalf of the BNP showing political tolerance.[9]

During this time, he personally signed response letters to the attendees at the various rallies. These response letters contained regionally specific issues and discussion on how to address them. By the first week of April, signed 18,000 letters.[10]

The 5th national council of BNP 2009 elected Rahman Senior Vice-Chairman of the party.[11]

Rahman also contributed towards establishing various welfare organizations.[3] He visited several parts of the country to motivate the poor people to be self-reliant in many ways by establishing like poultry, dairy and fish farm.[12]

Exile

Following the release of Rahman 's mother Khaleda Zia on September 11, 2008 he was set to fly for London, United Kingdom due to overseas treatment at Wellington hospital, an Independent private hospital in St. John's Wood.

The Anti corruption Commission filed 12 cases against Rahman and his friend and business partner, Giasuddin Al Mamun, which BNP claims is politically motivated and cases are being filed as part of the conspiracy of the immediate past caretaker government to prevent Rahman from participating in Bangladeshi politics. However, on October 16, 2009 the High Court issued a rule asking the government and the Anti Corruption Commission Bangladesh to explain why the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case against former prime minister Khaleda Zia and Tareque Rahman should not be quashed on a petition filed by Khaleda Zia.[13]

On 20 November 2009 BNP student front Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) organized a seven-day celebration program in observance of 42nd birthday of Rahman at his paternal district, Bogra. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia attended the program as the chief guest.

Khaleda Zia said her son would take part in active politics on his return from abroad after completing treatment. She addressed a few street meetings on her way to Bogra and alleged that the present government is trying to harass her son so that he cannot return to the country. She said, "Tareque worked for the development of the country, but a lot of cases were filed only to destroy him as a part of national as well as international conspiracies" She also added, "On March 7, 2007, he was picked up in a car right in front of me. But after the custody my son had to be sent abroad in a stretcher for treatment... Doctors have said his recovery will take more time..."[14] She alleged that the last caretaker government lodged false cases against Tarique Rahman and tortured and sent him abroad to make her party lose in the general elections. Speaking on the occasion, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain said popularity of the present government had hit rock bottom and they now consider Tareque Rahman as a threat. "New cases are being filed so that he cannot return," he added.[15]

On December 8, 2009 in the The 5th National Council of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Rahman was declared as the Senior Vice Chairman of the party.[16] He also appeared through the giant screen from London and made a short speech to the people of Bangladesh and the activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Rahman admitted that his treatment is still ongoing. He hoped to join with the activists on his return to Bangladesh after recovery.[16]

On 25 July 2013, Rahman was invited to an iftar party in London arranged by the expatriate supporters of the party. He shared his ideas and gave an outline to carry out development programs to develop Bangladesh.[17]

In September 2013, some representatives from the Government of United States of America met Rahman and discussed some bilateral issues. Rahman assured them of his stand against militancy.[18]

Exculpation from case

During the tenure of Awami League led government, members of which previously accused Rahman of laundering money abroad. A metropolitan court acquitted Rahman in a money-laundering case involving BDT 20.41 crore[19][20] It was the first judgment in one of the seventeen cases. Twelve of those cases have been stayed by Supreme Court. Three cases are now under process.

However, Bangladesh Nationalist Party officials[who?] and leaders claimed that this judgement is a proof of his innocence and he had no involvement with corruption, and that all the cases against Rahman were "politically motivated".[21]

On 3 November 2008, a leaked US Embassy cable said that US Embassy in Dhaka believed Rahman was "guilty of egregious political corruption that has had a serious adverse effect on US national interests".[22] In a verdict given by a metropolitan court of Bangladesh on 17 November 2013, the judge of the court stated that Khadiza Islam, the one who gave the money to Mamun had not told the court that Rahman had demanded bribe or pressurised her to give her the company the work.[23] Rahman had not given a confessional statement in the court under Section 164 and no document was presented at the court that proved he had taken the money.[23] He said the claim that Rahman had pressurised Khadiza through Mamun to demand the money was also not believable.[23] On 9 December the red notice against Rahman was withdrawn [24][25]

Global recognition

Rahman has received global recognition[by whom?] for his effort to engage grassroots in national politics and thereby strengthen democracy in Bangladesh. Numerous[peacock prose] members of civil society, including academics, poets, journalists and politicians have praised[peacock prose] and appreciated Rahman for his work through the book named as The Political Thought of Tarique Rahman, published by Bangladesh Policy Forum Cambridge.[citation needed]

The book is a collection of seventeen articles written on the politics and thoughts of Tarique Rahman. Authors of the articles, including four editors of the book, have either the experience of working closely with Rahman or have come to familiarize with his activities through their own works.

The book was officially launched in June 2013 at the University of Cambridge.[26][27] In August 2013, the American edition was published at Columbia University in New York City,[28] followed by the Australian, Canadian and German editions which were respectively inaugurated at the University of New South Wales, University of Toronto and University of Ulm between September and October 2013.[29][30]

Former Member of European Parliament John Clayton, Director at Young Foundation Dr. David Edgar and Professor Francis Davis from University of Oxford praised his political thought at Cambridge University.

During the book launching ceremony in United States of America Senator Jose Peralta, Mayor of Northfield Vincent Mazzeo, Public Advocate of New York Reshma Saujani, Mayor of West New York Dr.Felix Roque, Professor Michael Katch from Columbia University and Dr. AKM Khyrul Wara from Harvard University positively evaluated the activities and ideology of Rahman in the premises of University of Columbia.[28]

Former Editor of Financial Times Chrystia Freeland, Honorable Minister of Research and Innovation of Canada Glen Murray, Member of Legislative Assembly in Canada Mitzie Hunter and Vice President of Liberal Party of Canada Todd Ross also analysed his countrywide consultation programs to spread the benefit of democracy among grassroots people.[29]

Professor Michael Feneley from University of New South Wales, Member of Parliament of Australia Mehreen Faruqi and Former Attorney General of Australia John Dowd supported his works in the premises of University of New South Wales of Australia.[31]

Personal life

Rahman presently lives in London.[citation needed] He is married to Dr. Zubaida Rahman,[32] the youngest daughter of Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, former Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy. They have one daughter, Zaima Rahman,[33] who is as of December 2013 studying at a school in London.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Dhaka court rejects bail plea of Khaleda's son". The Times Of India. 2007-03-09. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
  2. ^ a b "তারেক রহমান : মিথ ও বাস্তবতা | সম্পাদকীয় | বাংলাদেশ প্রতিদিন". Bd-pratidin.com. 2013-09-23. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "The Political Thought of Tarique Rahman"
  4. ^ a b c "জয়কে নিয়ে অন্ধকারে আ.লীগ নেতারা" (in Bengali). prothom-alo.com. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-21. Cite error: The named reference "দৈনিক প্রথম আলো" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ http://www.itnsource.com/en/shotlist/RTV/1991/03/18/RTV180391005/?s=zia%20and%20bangladesh%20and%20parliament
  6. ^ http://www.ecs.gov.bd/Bangla/ShareVote.php?&electionid=8&electionName=Parliament%20Election%202001
  7. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpd8-yIS8jg
  8. ^ "BNP grassroots level workers confce -Partymen urged to face conspirators". News from Bangladesh. 28 February 2005. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  9. ^ "Tarique Rahman Pictures". TinyPic. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  10. ^ "Cable: 05DHAKA1131_a". Wikileaks. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  11. ^ [1][dead link]
  12. ^ "Financial Express :: Financial Newspaper of Bangladesh". Financial Express (Bangladesh). Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  13. ^ [2][dead link]
  14. ^ [3][dead link]
  15. ^ [4][dead link]
  16. ^ a b "Tarique made senior vice chair". bdnews24.com. 2009-12-08. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  17. ^ "Tarique shares his ideas in London". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  18. ^ Rashidul Hasan (2008-11-03). "BNP to fight militancy | Tarique assures US embassy official". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  19. ^ Money Laundering Case, Tarique acquitted, The Daily Star, November 18, 2013, retrieved 28 November 2013 {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ Money Laundering Case, Tarique acquitted, BanglaNews24.com, November 18, 2013, retrieved 28 November 2013 {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Verdict proves Tarique innocent, The Daily Star, November 18, 2013, retrieved 28 November 2013 {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ Shakhawat Liton and Shamim Ashraf (2011-09-09). "Tarique symbol of violent politics". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  23. ^ a b c "Weak charges get Tarique acquittal". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  24. ^ "Red notice for Tarique dropped". New Age. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  25. ^ "Red notice for Tarique dropped". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  26. ^ Book on Tarique launched, New Age, 28 June 2013, retrieved 2 July 2013 {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Book on Tarique's political visions launched, Daily Sun, 27 June 2013, retrieved 2 July 2013 {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ a b কলাম্বিয়া ইউনিভার্সিটিতে 'পলিটিক্যাল থট অব তারেক রহমান' বইয়ের প্রকাশনা উৎসব, Daily Manabzamin, 20 August 2013, retrieved 20 August 2013 {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ a b টরন্টোয় 'দ্য পলিটিক্যাল থট অব তারেক রহমান' বইয়ের মোড়ক উন্মোচন - See more at: http://thebengalitimes.com/details.php?pub_no=192&menu_id=2&val=8012#sthash.Vqr3dCD1.dpuf, The Bengali Times, 20 October 2013, retrieved 20 October 2013 {{citation}}: External link in |title= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ ২১ অক্টোবর বার্লিনে "দি পলিটিক্যাল থট অফ তারেক রহমান" গ্রন্থের প্রকাশনা উৎসব, BanglaPost24, 21 October 2013, retrieved 21 October 2013 {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ অস্ট্রেলিয়ায় বইয়ের প্রকাশনা উত্সব, Daily Amar Desh, 10 September 2013, retrieved 22 October 2013 {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ Rashidul Hasan. "Is Zubaida joining politics?". Daily Star. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
  33. ^ "Sons, grandchildren greet Khaleda". bdnews24.com. 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
Political offices
Preceded by
Nazmul Huda
 Senior Joint Secretary General, Bangladesh Nationalist Party
2001-2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
(Creation of post)
 Senior Vice Chairman, Bangladesh Nationalist Party
2009 		Succeeded by
Incumbent

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