A sorrowful chapter in the history of Bangladesh. It is not merely a death; an era of history itself has departed. The journey of a life path, as long as the Milky Way, as hard as thunder, standing at the pinnacle of grief, has ended. Begum Khaleda Zia is no more. But does her departure mean it's all over? No, never. She has left behind an immortal legacy, an epic of sacrifice, an inextinguishable light of struggle.
Her life began amidst a terrifying war. During the Liberation War in 1971, she fled from place to place with her two children. If she had been caught, the Pakistan Army would have had the chance to stop Ziaur Rahman. Perhaps the proclamation of independence would have been thwarted.
Through Ziaur Rahman's journey for the Liberation War, Khaleda Zia's own Liberation War began. She did not compromise, not even for the lives of her family and children. She did not stand as an obstacle before Ziaur Rahman. She did not yield for the uncertain future of herself and her two children; rather, she endured immense pain throughout her life's journey. Carrying that anguish, she became the very image of Bengal's mother, in whose heart grief did not harden into stone but transformed into the strength for struggle.
Then came her life's most brutal blow. The brutal assassination of her husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The country was in darkness. The party's foundation was under threat. Had she stepped back that day, the political map of Bangladesh might have been different today. But she did not retreat. Transforming grief into strength, embracing a multitude of grieving leaders and activists, she not only shielded the institution named BNP but turned it into a refuge for the masses. If Ziaur Rahman gave birth to the BNP, then Begum Khaleda Zia breathed new life into that newborn BNP. Just as a mother holds a family together, in exactly that way, she held her political family together.
Then arrived the glorious chapter of the movement against autocracy. The mass uprising of the '90s. The streets flooded with people. And at the forefront of those processions stood a woman, whose voice became the mantra of the mass uprising against authoritarian rule. The fall of an autocrat occurred under her fearless leadership. She became the symbol of the restoration of democracy.
Khaleda Zia was able to bring about many positive changes in Bangladesh. She will be remembered for various reasons, including the reintroduction of parliamentary democracy, providing employment to millions of women in the garment sector, ensuring free primary education for all, and establishing the caretaker government system to ensure free and fair elections. During the political turmoil of 2006-2007, or during the legal cases against her, Khaleda Zia could have chosen to leave the country. She was of advanced age and in poor health. Despite understanding the immense suffering that awaited her, she did not bow to the Hasina government and did not take any opportunity to go abroad. She is therefore often referred to with respect as the uncompromising leader.
Her role as an opposition leader was unique. She never turned her face away from justice and humanity. Her voice was clear and loud against enforced disappearances, murders, and extrajudicial killings. When Sheikh Hasina was subjected to enforced disappearance, she stood for justice, for the rights of an individual. She did not turn political rivalry into personal enmity. On matters of principle, she was unyielding-uncompromising. She is often referred to with respect as the uncompromising leader.
Imprisonment, harassment, persecution, lawsuits-these were constant companions in her life. But nothing could deviate her from her ideals. In her final years, she faced extreme cruelty. Even the right to medical treatment became a battle. Yet, she never surrendered. Everything was trivial compared to her dignity and principles.
Today, she has left. The farewell of a courageous mother of Bangladesh, a steadfast leader, an unforgettable character of an era. Her void can never be filled.
Her sacrifice, her struggle, her indomitable spirit will forever be inscribed in golden letters in the history of Bangladesh. She was not just a politician; she was a symbol, a legend.
The history of her struggle brings tears to the eyes. The stories of her sacrifice make the heart weep. But her departure does not mean an exit. She will live in the hearts of millions, in the memory of every democratic struggle of this country. May Allah the Almighty grant her Jannatul Firdaus.
The writer is an analyst of political and international relations
