Begum Khaleda Zia, the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh and chief of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was laid to rest with full state honors in Dhaka today, 31 December. Earlier, a huge crowd had gathered at the venue to participate in the Namaz-e-Janaza. Lakhs of people came to see Khaleda Zia for the last time. From the Indian side, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar specially reached Dhaka and attended his funeral.
The funeral prayers of former PM Khaleda Zia were held at Manik Miyan Avenue in the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building of Bangladesh. In which prominent political leaders of the country, BNP workers, family members and lakhs of common people participated. On behalf of India, Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar participated in the funeral.
Khaleda Zia laid to rest here
S Jaishankar paid tribute to Khaleda Zia on behalf of the Government of India and the public. After the prayers, Khaleda Zia was buried in her mausoleum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar next to her husband, former President Ziaur Rehman, in Zia Garden near the Parliament complex.
Before her burial, Khaleda Zia was paid last respects by senior representatives of several South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives. These delegations include the Foreign Minister and other high-level officials. On Wednesday, Khaleda Zia’s body was taken from Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital to the Gulshan Avenue home of her elder son and BNP acting president Tariq Rahman. The body was kept in a freezer van draped in the red-green national flag of Bangladesh. This van left the hospital at around 8:55 am and reached Gulshan home at around 9:16 am.
Son Tariq Rehman recited Quran
Khaleda Zia’s son and BNP working president Tariq Rehman recited Quran and prayed for his mother. This prayer was made when Khaleda Zia’s mortal remains reached her residence in Gulshan. In view of his funeral, tight security arrangements have been made in Dhaka. The interim government of Bangladesh and the three service chiefs also attended the funeral of Khaleda Zia.
Let us tell you that Khaleda Zia died on Tuesday morning in Evercare Hospital after a long illness. She was 80 years old and was on ventilator in critical condition for the last several weeks. According to hospital sources, he had complex problems related to diabetes, kidney, heart and lungs. The interim government has declared three days of national mourning on his death. During this period, the national flag on government buildings will remain at half mast and all government programs will be postponed.
Khaleda Zia was a prominent figure in Bangladesh politics. After the assassination of her husband Ziaur Rehman, she took charge of the BNP and became Prime Minister three times. She remained an influential figure in national politics for decades. He played an important role in restoring democracy after years of military rule. His political legacy was linked to the fight for democracy and the development of the country. His death is being considered as the end of an era in Bangladesh politics. There is a wave of mourning across the country.