Eminent citizens, editors, business leaders, and academics at a citizens' condolence meeting today (16 January) remembered former prime minister Khaleda Zia as a leader who rose above party lines through dignity, restraint and commitment to democratic values, urging the BNP to uphold the political ideals she embodied throughout her life.

The programme, organised by the civil society in memory of the late BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, began with a recitation from the Holy Quran at 3:05pm at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his family members attended the meeting, while the party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party leaders were also present.

Ambassadors, eminent citizens, former judges, academics, editors, lawyers, business leaders, media professionals and representatives from various professions also attended the event.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that when former prime minister Khaleda Zia was imprisoned, there were very few people who spoke out in her defence.

"I spoke up when Begum Khaleda Zia was in prison during her lifetime, at a time when there was no one to speak on her behalf," he said while addressing the condolence meeting.

Recalling a day during court proceedings, Asif Nazrul said Khaleda Zia had once asked in court, "Did I embezzle money meant for orphans?" He said the remark was widely portrayed as an admission of guilt, which, he added, reflected how poorly and unfairly the legal process was conducted at the time.

He said he and three others had issued a statement opposing the verdict and went from door to door seeking support, but found no response.

Asif Nazrul said he now felt relieved that people can remember Khaleda Zia freely.

"That is why one leader has found a place in people's hearts, while another has found a place outside the country," he said.

He added that for Bangladesh to move forward and remain well, the ideals and values of Khaleda Zia must be upheld.

Speaking on behalf of the Editors' Council, Daily New Age Editor Nurul Kabir said Khaleda Zia was not merely the leader of a nationalist party, but had truly emerged as a leader of the people and the country.

He said this was reflected in the participation of people from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation, in her namaz-e-janaza.

Nurul Kabir said one of the qualities of Khaleda Zia that always impressed him was her dignity and restraint, particularly at a time when political culture has long suffered from a lack of decency and moderation.

Despite enduring years of political attacks and hardships directed at her and her family by political opponents, he noted, Khaleda Zia never publicly expressed her pain, anger or condemnation.

This restraint, sense of proportion and self-respect are extremely important values in today's intolerant political climate in Bangladesh, he said.

Referring to her namaz-e-janaza, Nurul Kabir recalled that a BNP leader had pledged before millions of mourners that the party's politics would be conducted in line with Khaleda Zia's democratic ideals, urging the party to uphold that commitment.

The Daily Star Editor, Mahfuz Anam, said, "I am fortunate to have met former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia several times. As an independent journalist, she won my heart."

He said he respects Khaleda Zia for loving the country and establishing democracy.

Even after enduring imprisonment and house arrest, when she gave a speech following her release on 7 August [2024], she did not talk about revenge, Mahfuz Anam said, adding that Khaleda Zia called for building a society based on love, peace and knowledge rather than destruction, retaliation or hatred.

"If we can accept this generosity in our hearts, then we will be able to build a knowledge-based country."

He also said, "I will tell everyone that Khaleda Zia's last words were a call to build a knowledge-based society. May we all embrace it."

Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman said the political legacy and struggle of late president Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia had now been entrusted to Tarique Rahman, calling it both a matter of pride and a profound responsibility.

He said that in Bangladesh's 55-year history, only two leaders had emerged whose stature was difficult to match, adding that when such figures are parents, the responsibility borne by their children becomes even greater.

Mahmudur Rahman said Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia entered politics with immense popularity and returned to Allah with that same popularity intact.

He added that global political history offers no other example where both husband and wife from the same family remained the most popular leaders of a nation for such a long period, calling it a truly unique phenomenon.

Writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed said that two major achievements of Khaleda Zia would remain unmatched in Bangladesh's political history.

He said Khaleda Zia was the first prime minister in Bangladesh to be elected through a free and fair election. Her second major achievement, he added, was attaining the country's highest executive authority within eight to nine years of joining politics which he described as a record in Bangladesh.

Referring to Khaleda Zia's speech delivered on 7 August 2024, Mohiuddin said, "She clearly stated that we must move away from retaliatory politics." 

Khaleda Zia / Khaleda Zia Dies / Tarique Rahman / Condolence / BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir / BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed / BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi