TARIQUE INVENTOR OF 2014

BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman has proved himself a politician of 'high intelligence' by inventing some crucial and historic facts about his father General Ziaur Rahman and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2014.

In April, he invented illegality in Bangabandhu's becoming the prime minister in independent Bangladesh. Recently, he has come up with some more provocative facts by announcing that Bangabandhu was the biggest Razakar [collaborator] of all.

His critics are low of intelligence and are unable to appreciate and welcome his history-changing discovery. They are perhaps just jealous. Before Tarique, two individuals facing trial on charges of collaborating with the Pakistan occupation army had questioned, among others, the legality of the introduction of the parliamentary form of government under which Bangabandhu was sworn in as the premier in 1972. The apex court-led by the then chief justice Sayem has found nothing wrong in Bangabandhu's becoming the prime minister.

By inventing illegality in Bangabandhu's becoming the premier, Tarique however has proved that he has acquired more legal expertise than the judges who four decades ago found no wrong in it. With his invention, Tarique has proved that he has extensively been studying law in the UK for the last six years.

Tarique's extensive study has made him a historian too, or so it seems. With his knowledge and expertise, he is now writing new history. In April he has announced that his father Gen Ziaur Rhaman was the first president of Bangladesh. How? His father had become the first president by announcing himself as the president of Bangladesh in March, 1971. But his father was made unfortunate as he was forced to serve as an army officer for more than six years until he grabbed the country's presidency. Tarique is right in his discovery as none other than his father had claimed himself to be the president of Bangladesh in March. It was the biggest blunder of the government in the independent Bangladesh that had kept Zia as an army officer and had not allowed him to function as the country's president.

Tarique has kept on inventing. And this is the job of a true historian. He has surprised the country's people by discovering that Bangabandhu was the biggest Razakar. Why? The professor of history has explained his findings. In his words, "Awami League claims that they are the pro-Liberation War party. And what did Sheikh Mujib do to this party – banned it. You [Mujib] are the biggest Razakar in the world". The effect of his discovery is immense. Our father of the nation is the biggest Razakar, so we are all, including Tarique, Razakars.  

We are unfortunate that such a genuine and patriotic as leader, Tarique, is not at home. He has been abroad for the last six years. His political opponents, jealous of him, have filed corruption cases against him and have forced him to leave the country. But his opponents could not foresee that it would make him a half-educated politician like his opponents.  

It is unfortunate that many senior leaders of the BNP have joined the critics and they have refrained from celebrating Tarique's achievements. They feel embarrassed. Things could have been different and the country could have celebrated Tarique's achievements if the BNP were in power now. His mother, Khaleda Zia however proved that a mother can never feel jealous of her son's achievements. So she remains as proud as ever.  

The writer is Senior Reporter, The Daily Star.