Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will be buried today next to her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, and India has confirmed official participation in her funeral.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, on behalf of India, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party President Begum Khaleda Zia. “Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the government and people of Bangladesh,” the statement said.
Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister Khaleda Zia died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Khaleda Zia, a central figure in the country’s politics for decades, played a key role in the restoration of democracy after years of military rule and led Bangladesh for three terms.
His Namaz-e-Janaza will be offered at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sansad Bhawan, after which he will be buried next to Ziaur Rehman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Amid preparations for the funeral, BNP leaders said the funeral prayers will be led by the Khateeb of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan will conduct the proceedings.
According to The Daily Star, BNP general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged those present at the ceremony to maintain discipline, refrain from moving or taking photographs, and maintain the dignity and solemnity of the ceremony.
He appealed to the public to pray for the Zia family, especially Khaleda Zia’s eldest and only surviving son and BNP acting president Tariq Rehman, so that they can bear the loss and continue to fulfill their responsibilities towards the country.
Earlier in the day, the BNP Standing Committee meeting was held at the party president’s office in Gulshan, which was chaired by Tariq Rehman.
Along with the ongoing preparations at the party level, the government announced that Khaleda Zia’s last journey will be conducted with full state honours.
Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said that the entire process from taking the body from Evercare Hospital to the South Plaza of Jatiya Sansad Bhawan to the last rites prayer and burial will be conducted under tight security. More than 10,000 police and armed police battalion personnel will be deployed, as well as army personnel deployed at key locations, the Daily Star reports.
To organize the movement, Dhaka Metropolitan Police determined the route of the convoy, stating that the body would be taken from Evercare Hospital to South Plaza via Gate No. 6 via 36th July Expressway, Kuril Flyover, Naval Headquarters Area, Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Airport Road, Mohakhali Flyover, Jahangir Gate and Bijay Sarani.
Vehicular movement will be restricted on the affected roads during the passage of the convoy and the general public has been requested to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies.
Along with preparations for the funeral, the government has declared three days of state mourning starting today.
In his televised address on Tuesday, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus declared December 31 a public holiday, following which a gazette notification was issued by the Ministry of Public Administration. The decision was taken at a special advisory council meeting held at the invitation of the government, in which BNP general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present.
As per the notification, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices will remain closed today. However, emergency and essential services including electricity, water, gas, fire services, ports, sanitation, telecommunications, postal services and health services will continue to operate.
As per the notification, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices will remain closed today. However, emergency and essential services including electricity, water, gas, fire services, ports, sanitation, telecommunications, postal services and health services will continue to operate.
Hospitals, emergency medical staff and vehicles carrying medical equipment and medicines are also exempted from this holiday.
Following the government’s decision, the Supreme Court and Bangladesh Bank issued separate notifications declaring public holidays. In another gazette notification, the Cabinet Department formally announced three days of national mourning, which will end on Friday. Daily Star gave this information.
Along with state celebrations, the BNP declared a seven-day mourning period.
Senior joint general secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said black flags would be hoisted at all party offices across the country. Party leaders and workers will wear black badges and prayers will be offered in every office of BNP.
Condolence books have been opened at BNP offices, including Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence, the party’s Nayapaltan central office and district level offices, allowing political leaders and well-wishers to register tribute messages for the former prime minister.
As condolences poured in, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep grief over the demise of Khaleda Zia and expressed condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh.
In a post, PM Modi said he was “deeply saddened” by her demise and recalled his “cordial meeting” with her in Dhaka in 2015, saying he hoped her vision and legacy would continue to guide bilateral relations.
Leaders around the world also paid tribute to him, including the prime ministers of Pakistan and Nepal, while major diplomatic missions and international organizations issued condolence messages acknowledging his contribution to the political and democratic development of Bangladesh.
The United Nations expressed its deepest condolences to the family of Khaleda Zia and assured solidarity with the government and people of Bangladesh. The European Union also sent a message of condolence.
The US Embassy in Dhaka said he played an important role in shaping the country’s modern history, while Russia said it would remember him for maintaining cordial bilateral relations during his three terms as prime minister.
Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent messages of condolence to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen expressed condolences to BNP acting chairman Tariq Rahman, saying the Chinese people will remember him with deep respect.