Eminent citizens remember Khaleda Zia as a people’s leader
Staff Reporter :
Eminent citizens of the country including editors, business figures and academics at a citizens’ condolence meeting on Friday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, recalling her as a leader who transcended partisan politics through dignity, patience and an unwavering commitment to democracy.
They called upon the BNP to uphold and practise the democratic principles she stood for throughout her life.
Speakers said Begum Khaleda Zia was truly people’s leader and played pivotal role to rebuild Bangladesh with strong structure of the country’s education and economy through her visionary leadership and utmost struggles.
The programme, organised by civil society in memory of the late BNP chairperson, began with a recitation from the Holy Quran at 3:05pm at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, along with his family members, attended the event. Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders were also present.
The programme began after 2:30pm on Friday with the recitation of the Holy Quran. This was followed by the reading of condolence messages in memory of Khaleda Zia by Saleh Uddin, Executive Editor of The Daily Ittefaq.
Subsequently, speeches were delivered one after another by writer Faham Abdus Salam; Basudeb Dhar, President of the Puja Udjapan Parishad; FM Siddiqui, physician to Khaleda Zia; Debashish Roy, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the former caretaker government; Mahmudur Rahman, Editor of Amar Desh; Mahbubur Rahman, President of the ICCB; Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Honourable Fellow of the CPD; Jaijaidin editor Shafik Rehman; writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed; Mahfuz Anam, Editor of The Daily Star; Abdus Sattar Dulal, President of the DPI; former diplomat Anwar Hashim; Simin Rahman, Executive Member of ICC Bangladesh and CEO of Transcom Group; SM A Faiez, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh; writer and researcher Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir; Adviser for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Asif Nazrul; academic Professor Mahbub Ullah; and former Chief Justice Syed J R Modachchhir Hossain.
Diplomats, eminent citizens, former judges, academics, journalists, lawyers, business leaders, media professionals and representatives of various professions joined the gathering.
Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that when Khaleda Zia was imprisoned, very few people dared to speak out in her defence.
“I raised my voice when Begum Khaleda Zia was in jail at a time when almost no one stood by her,” he said while addressing the meeting.
Recalling an incident during court proceedings, Asif Nazrul said Khaleda Zia once asked in court, “Did I misappropriate money meant for orphans?” He said the remark was deliberately portrayed as an admission of guilt, which reflected the unfairness and poor conduct of the legal process at the time.
He added that he and three others had issued a statement opposing the verdict and went door to door seeking support, but received no response.
Asif Nazrul said he now feels relieved that people can openly remember Khaleda Zia without fear.
“That is why one leader lives on in people’s hearts, while another remains outside the country,” he remarked, adding that Bangladesh’s progress depends on upholding Khaleda Zia’s ideals and values.
Speaking on behalf of the Editors’ Council, Daily New Age Editor Nurul Kabir said Khaleda Zia was not just the leader of a nationalist party, but had truly become a leader of the nation.
He said this was evident in the participation of people from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation, in her namaz-e-janaza.
Nurul Kabir said Khaleda Zia’s dignity and restraint always impressed him, particularly at a time when Bangladesh’s political culture has long suffered from intolerance and indecency.
Despite years of political persecution and personal suffering inflicted on her and her family, she never publicly displayed anger, bitterness or resentment, he noted.
He said such composure, balance and self-respect are critically important in today’s divisive political environment.
Recalling her funeral prayers, he said a BNP leader had pledged before millions of mourners that the party would conduct its politics in line with Khaleda Zia’s democratic ideals, and urged the party to honour that commitment.
Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman said the political legacy and struggle of late president Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia have now been entrusted to Tarique Rahman, describing it as both a great honour and a heavy responsibility.
He said that in Bangladesh’s 55-year history, only two leaders had emerged whose stature was nearly unmatched, and when such figures are one’s parents, the responsibility on their children becomes even greater.
Mahmudur Rahman added that both Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia entered politics with immense public support and returned to Allah with that popularity undiminished, calling it a rare and unique phenomenon in global political history.
The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam said he had met Khaleda Zia several times and that, as an independent journalist, she earned his deep respect.
“She won my heart through her love for the country and her role in restoring democracy,” he said.
Mahfuz Anam noted that even after enduring imprisonment and house arrest, Khaleda Zia, in her speech after being freed on August 7, 2024, spoke not of revenge but of reconciliation. She called for building a society based on love, peace and knowledge, rather than hatred and destruction.
“If we can absorb this generosity into our hearts, we can build a truly knowledge-based nation,” he said, adding, “Khaleda Zia’s final message was a call to create such a society. May we all embrace that vision.”
Jai Jai Din editor Shafik Rehman said, I firmly believe that if Madam Khaleda Zia had not gone on 7 November, she would have remained healthy for some more time.
I would urge the younger generation to reflect on the speeches made at this programme before casting their first vote in life.