Nation bids farewell to ‘Desh Netri’

The nation on Wednesday bid a heartfelt farewell to its uncompromising leader – BNP Chairperson and three-time former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia – as millions of mourners poured out their love, tears, and prayers.

She was laid to eternal rest beside her husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area with full state honour. The country’s first female prime minister and a lasting political icon passed away on Tuesday at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 79. 

Khaleda Zia’s eldest son and BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman descended into his mother’s grave and received her body with open arms as her coffin was carried by soldiers from the Armed Forces, part of the state honour.

With the support of close relatives, he helped lay her body in the grave. As the grave was being filled with soil, he took a fistful of earth himself and cast it onto the coffin, following the traditional rite.

A smartly turned-out contingent from the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, and Bangladesh Air Force rendered a three-gun salute as a mark of respect, while the bugle played the last post. 

Floral wreaths were placed at the grave on behalf of President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, followed by her son and BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and the chiefs of the three services.

Family members, senior BNP leaders, advisers to the interim government, and prominent political figures attended the burial rites. Doa and munajat were offered for the eternal peace of her departed soul. To avoid overcrowding, the government had earlier imposed restrictions on public attendance.

The body was taken to the grave around 4:30pm, and the burial rituals completed around 4:50pm.

During the burial, Begum Zia’s family members, including Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Shamila Rahman and daughters Zahia Rahman and Zafia Rahman stood in solemn silence.

BNP Standing Committee members, including party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were also present.

Earlier, the namaj-e-Janaza began at 3pm after her coffin – draped in the national flag – was brought to the venue at 2:45pm with full state honour. Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Khatib Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek led the prayers, while BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief eulogy of Khaleda Zia. 

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, Tarique Rahman, advisers of the interim government, political leaders, and senior government and military officials joined the funeral prayers.

Dignitaries and diplomats from a total of different countries also attended the janaza. The foreign dignitaries included Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, External Affairs Minister of India Dr S Jaishankar, Foreign Minister of Bhutan DN Dhungyel, Foreign Minister of Nepal Bala Nanda Sharma, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath and Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development of Maldives Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed. 

There was a separate arrangement for women to attend the janaza. The female members of Khaleda Zia’s family along with advisers of the interim government took part in the funeral prayers.

Besides, gayebana janaza for Khaleda Zia was held in various districts across the country.

Before the janaza, Jaishankar met with Tarique Rahman at the Sangsad Bhaban and handed over a personal letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to him. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also handed over Islamabad’s condolence message to Tarique Rahman.

Millions of mourners from across Bangladesh converged on Manik Mia Avenue , South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad and surrounding areas to join the janaza.

Thousands lined the streets from early morning, with crowds stretching as far as Dhanmondi, Asad Gate, Shewrapara, Agargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Karwan Bazar, and the Chief Adviser’s Office. Many even stood on rooftops and elevated expressways after failing to find places on the streets. 

Security was tightly maintained, with hundreds of law enforcement personnel deployed, including Special Security Force, President Guard Regiment, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion and police, ensuring a safe and dignified farewell. 

Earlier in the day, her body was moved from Evercare Hospital to Tarique Rahman’s residence in Gulshan and then to the Parliament complex with state protocol. 

Tarique Rahman, Zubaida Rahman, and Mirza Fakhrul accompanied her in another vehicle.

Before janaza, Tarique Rahman, in his funeral speech, sought prayers for eternal peace of the departed soul of his mother. “I am Tarique Rahman, elder son of late Begum Khaleda Zia… Please pray for my mother so that Allah grants her Jannah,” he said.

Prof Yunus extended his condolences when bereaved Tarique Rahman arrived at the venue of his mother’s janaza.

On completion of all rituals, Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his family, returned to their Gulshan residence around 6:10pm.

As night fell, the grounds of Zia Udyan slowly emptied, with thousands of grief-stricken mourners dispersing after an outpouring of emotion and tribute to the late leader.

The government declared three days of state mourning, also marking a public holiday, while the BNP is observing a seven-day mourning period.