By Md. Khademul Islam, Dinajpur
Dinajpur, Jan 9, 2026:—A long-awaited moment is finally approaching in this northern, border-adjacent district. After two decades, familiar footsteps are set to return to Dinajpur on January 12, once again touching its soil. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is coming back to the land of his childhood, transforming grief into strength and carrying a message of peace, coexistence, and unity.
His vision speaks of a division-free ‘Rainbow Nation’, where people rise above differences of religion, ethnicity, and identity. Across Dinajpur’s 13 border-linked upazilas, a festive sense of anticipation now prevails, with excitement visible from villages to towns.
Dinajpur—where northern valour, struggle, and hospitality are woven into everyday life—spans a 157-kilometre border. Its 13 upazilas are currently swept by a distinct emotional current. The reason is singular: the end of a twenty-year wait as Tarique Rahman returns to a land many regard as central to his political roots and future leadership.
From grassroots workers to senior leaders, one name dominates conversations. Emotion is evident in the voices of party activists across the district.
“We haven’t seen him for many years. His return among us feels like Eid,” said one party worker, reflecting the widespread sentiment.
Tarique Rahman’s bond with Dinajpur is not merely political; it is deeply personal. The dust-laden lanes, narrow alleys, and open fields still carry traces of his childhood—carefree wanderings and unguarded moments with friends. Those companions of his youth now open the doors of memory, recalling days long past.
Hasanuzzaman Ujjwal, Vice President of Dinajpur District BNP, said, “The moments we spent with him still flash before my eyes. Thinking of those simple, innocent days makes me emotional even today.”
Meanwhile, the grief following the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia remains deeply etched in Tarique Rahman’s heart. Yet he seeks to transform that sorrow into a message of resilience and unity. His aim is to build an inclusive ‘Rainbow Nation’ and a ‘Rainbow Bangladesh’, where citizens are known not by labels, but simply as human beings.
Advocate Mofazzal Hossain Dulal, President of Dinajpur District BNP, said, “He will visit the graves of his family members. Our core message will be national unity. He is coming to show us how to build an inclusive rainbow nation.”
Turning back the pages of memory leads to September 4, 2005—the last time Tarique Rahman visited Dinajpur to inaugurate the Zia Bridge over the Atrai River in Khansama. Since then, twenty springs have passed, marked by repression, persecution, and political hardship—felt as intensely as the scorching heat of Chaitra.
Now, January 12 arrives like a gentle breeze over parched land. For the people of Dinajpur, this visit is more than a political moment; it signifies the end of a long separation and the beginning of renewed hope.
Carrying a message of peace to sun-scorched lands, Tarique Rahman’s return may help reshape the country’s political landscape—more humane, more inclusive, and vividly coloured with the promise of a rainbow-hued Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, ahead of his arrival, a special preparatory meeting was held on January 9 at the Dinajpur Shishu Academy auditorium, organised by the Dinajpur District BNP.
The meeting was presided over by District BNP President Advocate Mofazzal Hossain Dulal and conducted by District BNP General Secretary Bakhtiar Ahmed Kochi. Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain, BNP Standing Committee member and the party’s nominated candidate for Dinajpur-6, attended as the chief guest.
In his address, Dr Zahid Hossain stressed that Tarique Rahman’s visit is not a political programme but a personal one to attend a doa mahfil (prayer gathering). He urged leaders and activists to ensure the programme remains dignified, disciplined, and refined.
He also emphasised strict vigilance so that no electoral code of conduct is violated under any circumstances.
“Tarique Rahman is prepared to build unity by embracing everyone. He is not coming with a message of division, but with a message of peace and harmony,” Dr Zahid Hossain said.
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