Has the law been written differently for Tarique Rahman?

Once a convict, BNP acting chairman 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?

From the moment of entry into the country, these issues have been noticeable. Not paying tolls at designated toll facilities—an offense that is unquestionably punishable for ordinary people—how does this go ignored? Then come even more serious matters. After the announcement of the election schedule, becoming a new voter is legally prohibited; yet, questions have arisen about Tarique Rahman becoming a voter while that schedule was still in effect. Moreover, the day was a Saturday, a weekly government holiday. So how was the law followed, and under whose instructions?

These incidents are not isolated; rather, they present a continuous picture—are separate rules being applied for Tarique Rahman? If so, then where does the constitutionally proclaimed principle that “the law is equal for all” stand?

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The questions now circulating in the public mind cannot be ignored:

-Why does Tarique Rahman repeatedly receive special privileges despite being convicted?

-Why are clear instances of lawbreaking being overlooked?

-Why is there silence in Tarique Rahman’s case, where immediate action would have been taken if it were an ordinary citizen?

Then is he truly above the law?

Crime is never small or large—crime is crime. If minor offenses are legitimised through the force of power, it is inevitable that major crimes will be encouraged. This special privilege to break the law not only calls one individual into question; it puts the entire state system under scrutiny.

So today, the public’s question is just one: Is the law truly equal for everyone, or is a separate law being written for Tarique Rahman?

If a clear answer to this question does not come, public trust in the rule of law will fall into an even deeper crisis.

By: albd.org