BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman struggled to hold back his emotions on Saturday as children of several BNP leaders and activists, who became victims of enforced disappearance, broke down in tears while recalling years of waiting for their missing fathers.
The scene unfolded at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka during a views-exchange meeting with family members of victims of enforced disappearances, killings and torture during the anti-fascist movement.
Amra BNP Paribar and Mayer Daak jointly organised the programme at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.
The event honoured victims of enforced disappearances, killings and torture during the Awami League government, and paid tribute to the late BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
During the discussion, Tarique briefly wiped his eyes with a tissue as children shared their experiences, drawing silence across the hall.
One of them was Adiba Islam Hridhi, daughter of Parvez Hossain, a leader of the Banani unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal who disappeared on 2 December 2013.
Family members have long claimed he was picked up by men identifying themselves as detectives, and they have repeatedly demanded information and justice. A decade later, his daughter said she still waits for him.
“Years pass and new years arrive, but our father never comes home,” Hridhi said, her voice shaking. “My dream has always been to go to school holding my father’s hand, but that dream remains unfulfilled. How long do I have to wait? Will I not get my father back?” she asked before breaking down in tears.
Safa, another child, spoke about her father Md Sohel, a vice-president of the Chhatra Dal’s Bangshal unit, who also went missing in 2013.
She said she was only two months old at the time and has never seen her father since.
“For more than a decade we have searched for him, but found nothing. When others my age learn to walk holding their fathers’ hands, I search for mine. How long must I keep looking?” Safa said.
Relatives of many others shared similar accounts, saying they lost fathers, sons, brothers or husbands during the Awami League’s tenure.
The hall remained heavy with grief as attendees, organisers and even some security staff appeared visibly moved by the testimonies.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, who was subjected to enforced disappearance in 2015 for 62 days, was also seen becoming emotional and wiping his tears with tissues.