Praise for Khaleda's patriotism, impact on politics

The people of the country remembered former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia with respect, mourning, memories, sacrifice and her contributions to the country.

Speaking at the Citizens Condolence Meeting held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital Professor FM Siddiqui, the head of the medical board formed to treat Khaleda Zia on Friday said, "Because of wrong treatment and negligence, Khaleda Zia's liver condition worsened rapidly, which pushed her towards death."

He said Khaleda Zia was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and was taking medicines on the advice of rheumatologists. At the same time, she also had MAFLD (Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease).
FM Siddiqui said that diagnosing Khaleda Zia's liver disease was very easy and did not require expert-level skills. He explained that when a patient takes methotrexate, regular blood tests of liver function are necessary. If abnormal results appear, the medicine should be stopped and at least an abdominal ultrasound should be done to check the liver.

He said it is unbelievable but true that even after Khaleda Zia's liver function tests showed poor results, the government-appointed doctors neither conducted an ultrasound nor stopped MTX (methotrexate).

Addressing questions about whether Khaleda Zia was given "slow poison," FM Siddiqui said methotrexate worsened her fatty liver disease and caused liver cirrhosis. In that sense, he said, the medicine acted as a "slow poison" for her liver.

FM Siddiqui said such negligence in Khaleda Zia's treatment and the rapid decline of her liver function pushed her towards death. He said it must be investigated whether this was wilful or deliberate negligence, and whether it was an unforgivable crime or part of a long-term plan to kill her. He added that the Medical Board has clear evidence of negligence in the treatment of her diabetes and arthritis as well.

Professor FM Siddiqui said a detailed investigation is needed into three issues related to medical negligence in Khaleda Zia's treatment, through a legally empowered committee.

The three issues are: who were the members of the government-formed Medical Board, what expertise they had, and whether they failed in their duties. Which doctors were involved in her treatment during hospital admission, and whether there is evidence of negligence and why Khaleda Zia's request to include her personal doctors through a lawyer during treatment at the Medical University was not allowed, and who prevented it.

FM Siddiqui expressed hope that the government would contact Khaleda Zia's family and take immediate legal action.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said Khaleda Zia was the victim of most disgraceful and farcical trial in Bangladesh's history.

Described the Zia Orphanage Trust case against Khaleda Zia Asif Nazrul said it was the "sham and disgraceful judgment" in country.

Recalling an incident from the trial, Asif Nazrul said a defence lawyer had once asked Khaleda Zia whether she had misappropriated orphan funds.

Hurt and astonished, Khaleda Zia repeated the question, saying, "Did I embezzle orphan money?"
He said the court treated this as her statement and convicted her based on it. As a student of law, he said, there could not be a more disgraceful trial than this.

Asif Nazrul said there was a time when hardly anyone dared to speak in support of the BNP or against the injustice done to Khaleda Zia.

He said, "While searching for statements protesting the unfair trial, he said only four people, both at home and abroad, could be persuaded to issue statements."

He added that it was almost impossible at that time to find people willing to stand by Khaleda Zia, though the situation has now changed.

He said Khaleda Zia has secured a permanent place in the hearts of the people, while ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been pushed into a place of rejection.

Editors' Council President Nurul Kabir said that Khaleda Zia always stood out in Bangladesh's politics for her grace, decency, restraint and strong sense of self-respect.

He said Khaleda Zia set a unique example in Bangladeshi politics through her refined behaviour, moderation, dignity and restraint, which always impressed him.

Nurul Kabir said that despite the oppression, persecution, and hardships faced by Khaleda Zia and her family, she never spoke words of condemnation. He said such restraint is very rare.

Renowned economist and researcher Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya said that the justice and generosity of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia were unprecedented.

He said that when the nation needed Khaleda Zia's presence, advice, and guidance the most during this critical time, she passed away. He added that he believes Khaleda Zia wanted the people to face the current challenges together, based on principles and patriotism.

Dr. Bhattacharya recalled that when Khaleda Zia was the Leader of the Opposition, she had instructed that gas should be preserved for 50 years.

Dr. Bhattacharya said, Khaleda Zia replied that gas extraction and security must be ensured while protecting national interests.

Speakers said that Begum Khaleda Zia will be remembered forever by the people of the country. They said she fought for truth and justice throughout her life and never compromised in establishing democracy.

They said Khaleda Zia always believed in patriotism. She often said that Bangladesh has friends abroad but no masters, and that the country was her true identity.

They said this belief is why she received immense love from the people during her final journey, which they described as a historic moment in the country's history.

They added that as long as Bangladesh exists, the name of Begum Khaleda Zia will be written in every chapter of the nation's history.

These were the feelings expressed by prominent people about the former Prime Minister and recently deceased BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, Shamila Rahman, the wife of Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Coco, and other family members joined the condolence meeting.

Members of the party's Standing Committee, senior party leaders, and diplomats from 23 countries posted in Bangladesh also attended the programme. These included diplomats from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, India and Pakistan.

Security at the condolence meeting was ensured by various law enforcement agencies, including the army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Ansar, and others.

As the number of people at the venue increased, security measures were further tightened. Leaders and activists of different BNP units and associate organisations were responsible for maintaining order during the event.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Abdul Moin Khan, Mirza Abbas, Selima Rahman, Salahuddin Ahmed, AZM Zahid Hossain, Security Adviser Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar, Chairman's Adviser Mahdi Amin, and other senior leaders attended the condolence meeting.

The programme started with recitation from the Holy Quran after 2:30 pm on Friday. After that, Daily Ittefaq Executive Editor Saleh Uddin read a condolence message in memory of Khaleda Zia.

Later, the meeting was addressed one after another by writer Faham Abdus Salam, Puja Udyapan Parishad President Basudeb Dhar, Debashish Roy, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the former caretaker government, Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman, ICCB President Mahbubur Rahman, CPD Honorary Fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya, Senior Editor Shafiq Rehman, writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed, Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, DPI President Abdus Sattar Dulal, former diplomat Anwar Hashim, ICCB Bangladesh Executive Member and Transcom Group CEO Simin Rahman, Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman S.M.A. Fayez, writer and researcher Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul, educationist Professor Mahbub Ullah, and former Chief Justice Syed JR Modasshir Hossain.

The memorial service ended with prayers and supplications for Khaleda Zia.
Bangladesh's first female prime minister and a lasting political icon, Khaleda Zia, died on December 30 last year in a Dhaka hospital after a long bout of health complications.

The 80 -year-old BNP chief had been suffering from a number of complications for a long time after she was imprisoned during Shekh Hasina rule. She was laid to rest at Zia Udyan with state honours the following day.