Staff Reporter :
In a solemn yet defiant tone, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday painted a stark picture of Bangladesh’s democratic trajectory, declaring that the country’s “uninterrupted journey of democracy continues to face obstacles at every step.”
Her remarks came during a brief virtual address to commemorate the 44th death anniversary of her husband and BNP founder, Ziaur Rahman – a former president whose legacy still sharply divides Bangladesh’s political landscape.
The three-minute speech, delivered from her residence in Dhaka, was a pointed reminder of the party’s grievances against the ruling establishment and an emotional reflection on a painful chapter in the nation’s history.
“In the fight to establish democracy and protect sovereignty, for which Shaheed Ziaur Rahman sacrificed his life, the democratic journey remains hindered even today,” Khaleda said, addressing party members and the broader public in a message laced with both hope and urgency.
Ziaur Rahman, a military officer turned politician, was assassinated in Chattogram on May 30, 1981. Revered by his followers as a war hero and a champion of development and nationalism, his legacy is a cornerstone of the BNP’s identity.
Khaleda’s speech, though brief, carried the weight of both personal loss and political determination. “This day in May brings back deeply painful memories for our family every year. But it was not just our family – the entire nation was grief-stricken and suddenly left without leadership,” she said, recounting the fateful day when Zia was killed by a group of disgruntled army officers at the Chittagong Circuit House.
Calling her late husband “the architect of democracy, independence, press freedom, judicial independence, self-reliance, development, and a unique sense of nationalism,” Khaleda urged BNP supporters to renew their commitment to his vision. “Very soon, we will see Bangladesh re-established in democracy. Let that be our pledge on the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Zia.”
In a call for unity and discipline, Khaleda exhorted party members and supporters to move forward together: “We must remember that the politics of democracy and development for all, which Zia left behind as a solution to all problems, must be implemented to truly honour him.”
As part of the anniversary observance, the BNP announced that black flags will be hoisted atop all party offices, including its central headquarters in Nayapaltan, from 6 a.m. on Thursday.
Party flags will be flown at half-mast.
Later in the morning, senior BNP leaders and activists are scheduled to gather at Zia’s grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to lay wreaths, offer prayers, and participate in a doa and milad mahfil – traditional religious observances seeking blessings for the deceased.
