Is he above law: Bangladesh Awami League flags ‘repeated privileges’ given to BNP’s Tarique Rahman

In Dhaka, just a few days after Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections were set for February 12, former BNP chief Tarique Rahman made his long‑awaited return to the country, ending a 17‑year self‑exile. His arrival has stirred fresh criticism from the ruling Awami League.

The opposition party took to its platforms on Saturday to highlight what it called a pattern of “repeated privileges” granted to Rahman by the interim government now led by former microcredit pioneer Muhammad Yunus. They characterized these gestures as “violations of the law,” arguing that they undermine the rule of law in a country where ordinary citizens face strict legal scrutiny.

The Awami League cited several specific incidents to support its case. “Once a convicted accused, Tarique Rahman is now receiving one privilege after another, with repeated violations of the law raising deep questions in the public mind. The law that is strict and uncompromising for ordinary citizens — does it become relaxed in the case of Tarique Rahman? Or is he, in effect, above the law?” the party asked.

They pointed out that, from the moment he entered the country, Rahman had evaded toll payments at designated checkpoints—a clear offence that should, under normal circumstances, trigger penalties. “From the very moment of entering the country, these issues have been noticeable. Not paying tolls at designated toll facilities – an offence that is unquestionably punishable for ordinary people – how does this go ignored?” the party added.

Another point of contention was Rahman’s plan to complete the formalities required to register as a voter. Bangladeshi election law forbids new voter registration once an election schedule is announced, and the Awami League questioned how and under whose direction the registration could be processed on a Saturday—a public holiday traditionally reserved for government work.

“The party highlighted that under Bangladeshi law, new voter registration is legally prohibited once the election schedule is announced, questioning Rahman’s registration while the schedule was still in effect,” it explained.

In a broader critique, the opposition argued that these repeated incidents indicate a continual pattern rather than isolated events. “If separate rules are being applied for Rahman, the party asked, where does the constitutionally proclaimed principle that “the law is equal for all” stand?” they said.

They warned that allowing a single individual to bypass ordinary legal standards threatens the integrity of state institutions. “Crime is never small or large – crime is crime. If minor offences are legitimised through the force of power, it is inevitable that major crimes will be encouraged. This special privilege to break the law does not only call one individual into question; it puts the entire state system under scrutiny,” the group noted.

The Awami League cautioned that without clear explanations, public confidence in Bangladesh’s legal system could erode further. “Stressing that the public is questioning whether the law in Bangladesh is truly equal for everyone, or if a separate law is being written for Rahman, the Awami League warned that in the absence of clear answers, public trust in the rule of law would sink into an even deeper crisis,” it concluded.

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