Rizvi recalls ‘tragic’ circumstances of Koko’s death

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has described the death of Arafat Rahman Koko as an “extremely heartbreaking and tragic” episode, alleging that the circumstances surrounding it reflected political revenge against the Zia family.

Rizvi made the remarks on Wednesday after offering Fateha and placing floral wreaths at Koko’s grave at Banani graveyard, marking the 57th birth anniversary of the younger son of BNP founder and late president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Recalling the circumstances surrounding Koko’s death and the return of his body to Bangladesh, Rizvi said he could recall no greater tragedy than a mother having to hold the body of her son.

He said Koko died in an extremely difficult environment when the country was witnessing the “ultimate manifestation of fascism”.

“Koko could no longer cope with the situation. He was suffering from heart disease and was sick. In that situation he died of cardiac arrest,” Rizvi said.

He then recalled Khaleda Zia’s confinement when Koko’s body was brought back to Bangladesh, alleging that she was being kept under blockade with trucks loaded with sand and timber.

“She had an injury to her eye and had undergone an eye operation. At that very moment, pepper spray was used to make her even more sick while she was being kept confined. And at that very moment, the body of her son was placed in her lap,” he said.

“I cannot recall any tragic event in the world comparable to this. This tragedy surpassed all other tragedies, the body of a son in his mother’s lap. It was an expression of revenge,” Rizvi said. Rizvi accused ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina of using every possible means to harass the Zia family and erase its presence and popularity among people.

“She tarnished their image, spread propaganda and lies, not a single one of which she could prove,” he said.

Rizvi alleged that Hasina pursued such actions to satisfy her desire for absolute dominance and remain in power.

“There was nothing Sheikh Hasina did not do to destroy this family of the Liberation War,” he said.
He claimed that Hasina’s family had no contribution to the Liberation War and said her father and she herself had stayed under the patronage and protection of the Pakistani ruling authorities.

“Why this revenge? Because Ziaur Rahman declared independence? Because his wife and two sons remained imprisoned because of that declaration of independence?” he asked.

Rizvi said Hasina could never tolerate Ziaur Rahman’s patriotism and popularity among people and therefore subjected his family to repeated suffering.

He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia’s elder son, had been subjected to physical torture before going to London for treatment.

“What has happened today? Sheikh Hasina had to flee after being chased by people. Today that Tarique Rahman is the Prime Minister. He is an extremely popular Prime Minister,” Rizvi said.

Rizvi also highlighted Koko’s contribution as a sports organiser, saying he had worked for the development of sports.

According to Rizvi, Koko wanted the state and government to create opportunities for people who would make sports their profession and livelihood.

State Minister for Youth and Sports and Dhaka North City BNP convener Aminul Haque, Dhaka North City BNP member secretary Mostafa Zaman, joint convener and MP SM Jahangir, Dhaka North City BNP member Rezaur Karim Fahim, and Bangladesh Cricket Board director Israfil Khasru, among others, were present.

Arafat Rahman Koko was the younger son of BNP founder and late president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The Wednesday programme at Banani graveyard was held to mark his 57th birth anniversary.