BNP marked its 48th founding anniversary on September 1, commemorating the party’s establishment by then-president Ziaur Rahman on an open ground in Ramna, Dhaka, on August 31, 1978.
Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the occasion in a message the day before, calling the party’s founding a landmark moment in restoring democracy in Bangladesh and describing Ziaur Rahman as the great proclaimer of independence and architect of modern Bangladesh.
The anniversary lands at a significant political moment for the party. In the 13th national election held this past February, BNP secured a landslide victory with a two-thirds parliamentary majority, forming the government under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.
Flags, Graves, and a Five-Day Programme
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed announced a five-day programme on August 26 following a joint meeting at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. Party flags were raised at 6 am at the central office and at party offices nationwide.
Tarique Rahman was scheduled to pay homage to Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia at their graves in Zia Udyan at 9 am on the anniversary day, followed by a discussion meeting on September 5.
Fisheries, Trees, and Public Welfare
Beyond ceremonial tributes, the anniversary programme leans heavily into community service. BNP Joint Secretary General Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel is set to lead a fish fry release into an open waterbody, while fellow Joint Secretary General Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee will head a tree plantation drive.
Local units across the country have built out their own versions of this public welfare push. In Khulna, district BNP has planned blood donation drives, tree plantation, and fish release alongside discussion meetings and doa mahfils running from September 2 at the upazila and municipal levels. In Rajshahi, affiliated organisations plan to distribute food among the destitute alongside flag hoisting and a rally.
A Celebration Shadowed by Absence
Not every part of the anniversary carries a festive tone. Khaleda Zia’s absence has weighed heavily on this year’s observance.
Rizvi said she had long been the source of inspiration and enthusiasm for party activists, adding that her absence leaves the party saddened and grieving. BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince described the anniversary as a mixture of joy and sorrow, marking the party’s long political journey while mourning the absence of its longtime chairperson.
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Party Leaders Frame the Moment as a Test of Delivery
Party leaders have used the anniversary to reframe BNP’s responsibilities in government rather than simply celebrate its history. Rizvi said the party’s greater task now is translating political commitments into real improvements in people’s lives, urging leaders and activists to follow the law, maintain discipline, and ensure people feel secure under BNP governance.
In Khulna, district convener Moniruzzaman Montu echoed that sentiment, stressing the need to ensure grassroots access to services like Family Cards, Farmers’ Cards, and agricultural loan waivers, while calling on leaders in government roles to keep the party connected to ordinary people.
FAQ
When was BNP founded and by whom?
BNP was founded by then-president Ziaur Rahman on August 31, 1978, at an open ground in Ramna, Dhaka.
What activities are part of BNP’s 48th anniversary programme?
The five-day programme includes flag hoisting, grave tributes to Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, a discussion meeting, and community service activities such as fish fry release, tree plantation, and blood donation drives.
Why is Khaleda Zia’s absence significant this year?
Party leaders described her absence as casting a sombre note over the anniversary, calling her a longtime source of inspiration and enthusiasm for BNP activists.
Summary: Bangladesh Nationalist Party marked its 48th founding anniversary on September 1 with a five-day programme combining flag hoisting and grave tributes with community service activities like tree plantation and fish release.
