Former leaders of the Ducsu ’90 and the All-Party Students’ Unity paid tribute to former prime minister Khaleda Zia by placing floral wreaths at her grave.
Leaders, led by former Dhaka University Central Students Union (Ducsu) vice-president and then All-Party Students’ Unity convener Aman Ullah Aman, offered Fateha and placed floral wreaths at the grave of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Friday noon.
Among those present were All-Party Students’ Unity leaders Habibur Rahman Habib, Jahir Uddin Swapan, Khairul Kabir Khokan, Nazim Uddin Alam, Khandaker Lutfar Rahman, Nazmul Haque Pradhan and Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, among others.
In his remarks, Aman Ullah Aman recalled Khaleda Zia’s role in the anti-autocracy movement. He said, “Sheikh Hasina’s fascist government filed cases against her, sent her to jail through sham trials, and denied her even minimum medical treatment in prison. There was an attempt to kill her through slow poisoning. The Awami League and Sheikh Hasina will never be able to evade responsibility for this. Sheikh Hasina will have to answer for it.”
He said, “The presence of millions of people at her funeral proves that Khaleda Zia was a symbol of unity, a symbol of democracy, and a vigilant guardian of independence and sovereignty.”
Referring to Khaleda Zia’s elder son, he said, “You all know how Tarique Rahman was tortured. He was forced to live in exile. Today, he has returned to the country. What an unprecedented response has emerged among the people. The people have welcomed him spontaneously.”
Khaleda Zia died on December 20 while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. The following day, she was buried with state honours beside the grave of her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman. Since then, many people have been coming to her grave to pay their respects.
Later in the day, BNP central leader Aman Ullah Aman went to Savar to attend a separate doa mahfil organised to seek eternal peace for Khaleda Zia.
After Jumma prayers, Aman attended the programme as the chief guest at Aminbazar Central Jame Mosque, where he said the large number of people at her funeral prayer showed that Khaleda Zia had been a true guardian of the nation. He also said she had left behind a “worthy successor” in her son Tarique Rahman and expressed confidence in his future leadership.
Savar Thana BNP Vice-President Amjad Hossain, Aminbazar Union BNP President Mohammad Hossain, former Dhaka District Chhatra Dal General Secretary Rezaul Karim Jewel, along with other party leaders, activists and supporters, were present at the prayer session.
Khaleda Zia passed away at 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80.
