BNP MP Calls for Recognizing Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman as ‘Child Freedom Fighters’

Mujibur Rahman, a Member of Parliament from the Gazipur-1 constituency, made the demand on Wednesday while taking part in a discussion on the motion of thanks on the President’s speech in the National Parliament. The session was chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

During his speech, Mujibur Rahman expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for nominating him. He said that after nearly 30 years, the constituency had been returned to the BNP by the people. He added that he had promised voters that if they supported him and Tarique Rahman became Prime Minister, he would attend a public rally at Bhawal Field. According to the MP, people in the area are now waiting for the Prime Minister’s visit.

At one point, Mujibur Rahman described Tarique Rahman as “the symbol of a persecuted and oppressed revolution.” He said the slogan “Bangladesh First,” associated with the Prime Minister, has inspired the people of Gazipur.

He further stated that during the 1971 Liberation War, Khaleda Zia was held captive by Pakistani forces, and Tarique Rahman spent nine months in captivity as a child. Based on this, he called for official recognition of Khaleda Zia as a freedom fighter and for Tarique Rahman and his late brother Arafat Rahman to be recognized as child freedom fighters.

He added that the proposal was not intended to please the Prime Minister, but reflected his personal conviction.