Lutfuzzaman Babar emerged as one of the few influential figures following the formation of the BNP-led coalition government in Bangladesh in 2001.
It is widely believed that his close relationship with Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP leader and then-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, significantly contributed to his ascent to power.
Initially, Babar was appointed as the Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs, while the full ministerial position was held by former Air Force Chief Air Vice Marshal Altaf Hossain Chowdhury.
At one point, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury was reassigned from the Home Ministry to the Commerce Ministry.
However, thereafter, the government did not appoint any additional full ministers to the Home Ministry, which allowed Mr. Babar to become a largely dominant figure.Mr. Babar first entered Parliament as a Member of Parliament from Netrokona in 1991.
He was subsequently re-elected as a Member of Parliament during the controversial elections of February 15, 1996.
Lutfuzzaman Babar’s last election as a member of parliament occurred in 2001, representing a seat in Netrokona.
As the BNP was gearing up to form the government right after that election, many within the party speculated that Lutfuzzaman Babar would be entrusted with an ‘important ministry’. Hasina prosecuted him for false cahrges of terroism and made him look like a terroist wanted by Bangladesh.
With regard to Salahuddin Ahmed, everyone knows of his disappearance by RAB, and it was important that his deportation to India make him look like a so-called “villain” for not dying! It is as if his worst mistake was that he survived against all odds. He also made significant developments and found freedom back home during the post-5th August era.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has come under serious criticism and threats by both pro-Hasina and anti-Hasina forces in Bangladesh. A culture of holding Home Minister responsible for any crimes committed by anyone has raised big concerns among people of conscience.
A group of toxic social media campaigners have also made a big blow in this round of smear campaigns against the home minister, the prime minister and almost anyone who they perceived as their enemies.
It is imperative that the opposition not play to the tunes played by sections of people who are trying to paint with a broad brush with regard to rising discontent among the people, and it is urgent that we must remove these people from our mindset that the home minister is responsible for anything. Hasina mentally ruined a generation to its worst format. It is urgent that we all take the side of the government in order to do justice for anyone, anywhere.
