BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said if his party comes to power, the army will remain free from political influence and its dignity will be upheld.

“If the BNP is able to form the government through the people’s mandate, the army will under no circumstances be allowed to be used for political interests,” he said at a programme at a city hall last night.

He added, “I do not wish to say that the army’s lost glory will simply be restored. Glory cannot be handed back; it must be earned and upheld. The responsibility of preserving the army’s honour lies with the army itself. The army must remain vigilant and conscious of its own dignity and prestige.”

Tarique made the remarks at a meeting with retired military personnel and families of victims of the 2009 Pilkhana massacre.

The BNP chief said the army should remain aware of politics but must not become absorbed into it. “Every officer and member of the army must be vigilant so that their professionalism is not overshadowed by politics.”

He stressed that the glory of the army has never been tarnished by the BNP -- neither in the past nor present -- and will not be in the future.

“...When the BNP is strong in the political arena, the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh remain strong, and the glory and dignity of the army are preserved.”

Tarique also announced that if the BNP comes to power, it would reinstate the name of the BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) to preserve its link to the Liberation War.

“After the 2009 massacre of army officers at Pilkhana, the fascist forces changed the name of the BDR, an institution steeped in the memory of the Liberation War. Even their uniforms were altered.

“I wish to share a personal sentiment with you: if the BNP is entrusted with governing the state through the people’s mandate, we will seek to reinstate the historic name of the BDR, tied to the memory of the Liberation War.”

He further said that after the Pilkhana massacre, the army was either unable or not permitted to properly observe the day and shared that the BNP plans to declare it a national day of mourning.

Tarique noted that he had received several recommendations from retired officers, including the formation of a National Security Council and revisions to certain provisions of military law.

“I personally consider these recommendations important. If the BNP wins the upcoming election, we plan to form a committee comprising both former and current army officers to implement these proposals,” said Tarique.

The BNP chief concluded by addressing a demand raised by former army officers and members: the implementation of “One Rank, One Pay”.

“I’m delighted to inform you that we have already included this in our party manifesto and publicly announced our commitment to implement it. God willing, if the BNP forms government after the February 12 election, we will move to implement this policy as swiftly as possible,” he said.

Retired military officers and family members of the soldiers killed in the Pilkhana massacre attended the meeting, where they demanded a fair trial for the incident of Pilkhana massacre.

In his welcome speech, Maj Gen (retired) Fazle Elahi Akbar said, "We seek only justice from Tarique Rahman, so that the children of the officers are not humiliated again. We want the army to regain its lost glory."

Rakin Ahmed, the son of the slain Major Shakil Ahmed, said, "The 57 families have one demand: a fair trial for the Pilkhana massacre. Officers and BCS officials who were unjustly dismissed under the previous government must be given justice. The previous government must ensure justice…."

Retired Major Mizanur Rahman said, "In the past 17 years, we have endured immense torture, which cannot be expressed in words. I have been arrested four times."

"We want a safe Bangladesh where any opinion, whether in favour or against, can be expressed."