An era has come to an end. Begum Khaleda Zia, a reflection of long struggle, countless ups and downs, and indomitable courage, has departed for the land of no return. She was not just a former prime minister; she was a beacon of hope for millions, a vigilant guardian of the nationalist movement, and the very embodiment of uncompromising struggle. The void created in the political landscape of Bangladesh by her departure could never truly be filled. Begum Khaleda Zia was a three-time prime minister, and a two-time leader of the opposition.
The funeral prayers of BNP chairperson and the country's first female prime minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, will be held today (Wednesday), at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. She will be laid to rest beside the grave of her husband, Bir Uttam and former president Ziaur Rahman.
Begum Khaleda Zia was born on August 15, 1945, in Dinajpur. Her father, Eskander Majumder, was a businessman, and her mother, Taiba Majumder, was a housewife. Calm and composed by nature since childhood, she began her education at a local school in Dinajpur. Growing up in the peaceful surroundings of North Bengal, few could have imagined that this quiet girl would one day take responsibility for leading the nation. Though her early life was simple, her later years unfolded as a remarkable blend of dignity, resilience, and compassion.
In 1960, she married young army officer Captain Ziaur Rahman of the then Pakistan Army. After marriage, she lived with her husband in various cantonments of West Pakistan. As the wife of an army officer, she led a disciplined life and devoted herself to family and household responsibilities. Like many women of her time, she remained largely outside public life, focusing on raising her children.
Begum Khaleda Zia and President Ziaur Rahman had two sons, Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko. Despite her later political engagements, she remained deeply attentive to her children's upbringing. Her maternal compassion became especially visible during the political and personal crises her family endured. The death of her younger son, Arafat Rahman, shattered her emotionally, yet she transformed her grief into strength and continued her struggle for the country and its people.
After the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman in 1981, when the BNP faced an existential crisis, Begum Khaleda Zia entered politics at the insistence of party leaders and in response to national necessity. An introverted housewife transformed overnight into a determined street leader. In 1984, she was elected BNP chairperson unopposed, marking the beginning of her uncompromising political journey.
Following Ziaur Rahman's death, the BNP stood on the brink of collapse. Through her resolute leadership and far-sighted decisions, Begum Khaleda Zia revived the party, traveling from village to village and mobilizing grassroots support. Under her leadership, the BNP emerged as one of the most influential political forces in the country. She became the central figure of the anti-Ershad movement and endured repeated house arrests and imprisonments without surrendering. Her role in the mass uprising of 1990 remains unforgettable.
In the 1991 elections, she was elected the first female prime minister of Bangladesh with an absolute majority. She later served as prime minister in 1996 and again in 2001. During her tenure, she made significant contributions to the expansion of free education and the advancement of women's education. Her vision was to build a modern, self-reliant Bangladesh.
Whether in power or in opposition, Begum Khaleda Zia consistently emerged as a guardian of a large segment of the population. Beneath her calm and gentle exterior lay an unyielding strength. In times of national crisis, her guidance served as a compass for millions. She was not merely a party leader but a symbol of trust for ordinary people across the country.
The final decade of her life was marked by prolonged imprisonment on Nazimuddin Road. Despite advancing age and serious illness, the legal and mental pressures she faced weakened her body but failed to break her spirit. Even behind prison walls, she remained steadfast in her ideals.
Despite requiring advanced medical treatment, Begum Khaleda Zia repeatedly asserted that she was a citizen of this country and wished to remain on its soil until her last breath. Even when faced with restrictions on treatment abroad, she refused the idea of exile. This unwavering attachment to her homeland stands as a rare testament to her towering personality.
Several unique qualities distinguished Begum Khaleda Zia from her contemporaries. She was among the first female prime ministers in the Muslim world and played a crucial role in consolidating parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh. Her leadership brought notable progress in women's education at the primary and secondary levels. Even after long periods out of power, she demonstrated an extraordinary ability to keep her party united on the streets. By transforming personal grief into political resolve, she became a symbol of women's empowerment and self-respect. From the darkness of prison cells, she remained a beacon of hope for those who cherished democracy.
She had been undergoing treatment at a city hospital for an extended period before her death, battling multiple complex illnesses, including liver cirrhosis. Despite months of suffering and repeated life-support interventions, she displayed extraordinary resilience. Her prolonged pain deeply moved the hearts of ordinary people.
The death of Begum Khaleda Zia has plunged the nation into mourning. Crores of people are offering prayers and supplications for her soul. To her supporters, she was more than a leader; she was a motherly figure. Her words inspired generations of activists, and today, countless party workers feel orphaned by her departure.
Her passing has left an immense void in Bangladeshi politics. Leaders of her stature, capable of uniting the nation, are exceedingly rare. Her absence will be felt at every step of the struggle to restore democracy. The nation grieves today, having lost one of its most formidable guardians.
Having endured a lifetime of struggle, she answered the call of Allah through a natural death. It marked a peaceful end to a long and arduous journey. As she is laid to rest amid the tears of millions, the sky and air seem to tremble with collective grief.
Begum Khaleda Zia may no longer be among us, but the story of her uncompromising struggle and her rise from a housewife to a stateswoman will live forever. Her name is indelibly etched in the history of Bangladesh. Though her void may never be filled, countless leaders, activists, and supporters will continue to walk the path she illuminated. May you rest in peace. The land and people of this country will never forget you. Your sacrifices and lifelong struggle will remain guiding stars for generations to come.
The writer is President of the International Anti-Drug Organization, Freedom International Anti-Alcohol
