Khaleda Zia: As Bangladesh says goodbye to former Prime Minister a sea of sorrow gathers in Dhaka
Khaleda Zia: A sea of mourners gathered in Dhaka for the funeral of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday, marking a moment of national remembrance following the death of one of the nation’s most powerful political figures. Bangladesh also observed a public holiday and began a three-day period of state mourning.
Later today, Khaleda Zia will be buried at the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman. With India confirming formal participation in the last ceremonies, the burial has garnered regional interest.
According to a Ministry of External Affairs release, S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, will attend the burial on behalf of India. “The External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government and people of India at the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” stated the statement.
After a protracted illness, Khaleda Zia, the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. She served as Bangladesh’s leader for three times and was instrumental in bringing democracy back after years of military control. She was a prominent presence in the country’s politics for many years.
She will be buried next to Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after her namaz-e-janaza in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban’s South Plaza.
BNP authorities said that the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque would lead the burial prayer as part of the ongoing preparations for the last ceremonies, and that BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan will preside over the festivities.
According to The Daily Star, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir asked participants to keep their composure, refrain from hurrying or snapping pictures, and uphold the ceremony’s seriousness and dignity.
Additionally, he urged the people to pray for the Zia family’s ability to cope with the loss and carry out his duties to the nation, especially Tarique Rahman, the BNP interim leader and Khaleda Zia’s oldest and only surviving son.
Tarique Rahman presided over the BNP Standing Committee meeting, which was held earlier in the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan.
The government said that Khaleda Zia’s farewell tour would be held with full state honors in addition to party-level preparations.
According to Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, there would be increased security throughout the whole procedure, from moving her corpse from Evercare Hospital to the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban’s South Plaza to the funeral prayer and burial.
According to The Daily Star, around 10,000 police and members of the Armed Police Battalion would be deployed, with army men stationed at strategic locations.
The body will be transported from Evercare Hospital via the 36 July Expressway, Kuril flyover, the Naval Headquarters area, Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Airport Road, Mohakhali flyover, Jahangir Gate, and Bijoy Sarani before entering the South Plaza through Gate No-6, according to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s convoy route, which was laid out to facilitate the movement.
The public has been asked to assist law enforcement throughout the convoy’s passage, and vehicular traffic along the impacted roadways will continue to be limited.
The government has announced a three-day period of mourning that will begin today in tandem with the burial plans.
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus declared December 31 to be a national holiday in a televised speech on Tuesday. The public administration ministry then published a notice in the gazette.
At the government’s request, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended a special advisory council meeting where the decision was made.
All government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices would be closed today, according the announcement.
Electricity, water, gas, fire, ports, sanitation, telecommunications, postal, and medical services will all be operational, as will other emergency and vital services.
Additionally excluded are hospitals, emergency medical personnel, and cars transporting medications and medical supplies.
The Supreme Court and Bangladesh Bank each issued separate announcements announcing a public holiday in response to the government’s decision.
According to The Daily Star, the cabinet division officially declared a three-day nationwide mourning that would end on Friday in another gazette declaration.
The BNP declared a seven-day period of mourning in addition to the state observances.
Black flags would be raised in every party office throughout the country, according to senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Every BNP office will have prayers, and party officials and activists will wear black badges.
Political leaders and well-wishers may now write tribute notes for the former prime minister by signing condolence books at BNP offices, including Khaleda Zia’s home in Gulshan, the party’s national headquarters in Nayapaltan, and district-level offices.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his profound sadness over Khaleda Zia’s passing on Tuesday, sending his condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh as the outpouring of condolences continued.
PM Modi wrote on X that he was “deeply saddened” by her loss and remembered their “warm meeting” in Dhaka in 2015. He also expressed his hope that her legacy and vision will continue to direct bilateral relations.
Major diplomatic missions and international organizations sent sympathy notes recognizing Khaleda Zia’s contributions to Bangladesh’s political and democratic growth, and tributes came from all over the globe, including from the prime ministers of Pakistan and Nepal.
The European Union and the United Nations both sent their condolences to Khaleda Zia’s family and reiterated their support with the government and people of Bangladesh.
Russia said it will remember her for preserving friendly bilateral ties throughout her three terms as prime minister, while the US Embassy in Dhaka said she was instrumental in creating the nation’s contemporary history.
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus received condolences from Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Prime Minister Li Qiang of China.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman received condolences from Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, who said that the Chinese people will remember her with great reverence.
President Asif Ali Zardari also sent condolences, and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Khaleda Zia a devoted friend of Pakistan.
Similar opinions were expressed by Malaysia, Nepal, the Maldives, and a number of other nations, acknowledging her long-lasting impact on Bangladesh’s political environment.
Statements lamenting her death were also released by diplomatic missions, including the British High Commission and the embassies of Germany, France, Japan, and Iran.
Australia expressed its condolences to the people of Bangladesh around the time of the former prime minister’s passing.