Tarique against religion-based politics

BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman has said political parties should not be based on religion even though the alliance led by his party has multiple constituents of that nature.

Religion could contribute to politics but no party should be based solely upon it, he said at the event to mark BNP’s 36th founding anniversary in East London on Tuesday.

He quoted his father, former military ruler Ziaur Rahman, urging leaders and activists to pay heed to his contention.

“Ziaur Rahman while he was president told a workshop on September 1980 that political ideal cannot be based on religion,” he reminded.

“We’ve learned from experience that politics of that kind doesn’t work, it didn’t during Pakistan era.”

Tarique felt that religion-based political groups in Bangladesh have failed despite repeated efforts.

“There are many among us who have tried to create political essence and outline based on religion. But invariably they have failed.”

The BNP leads the 20-Party alliance that has an array of Islamic groups, including the Jamaat-e-Islami which played a central role in the war crimes committed during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.

BNP has also been protesting against the calls to ban Jamaat.

Tarique, accused in a slew of criminal cases at home, left Dhaka after an army-backed Caretaker government took over in 2008.

He has been living in the UK with his family since then.

He made a public appearance in May last year in a BNP function in London and since then has been participating in party events.