The death of BNP Chairperson and three-time former prime minister Khaleda Zia, regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, Various government and non-government organisations and institutions have expressed condolences.
UGC
Chairman of the Bangladesh University Grants Commission Professor SMA Faiz has expressed deep sorrow on behalf of the commission’s members, officers and employees at the death of Khaleda Zia.
In a condolence message issued on Tuesday morning following the death of the country’s first female prime minister while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, Dr Faiz paid tribute to her.
The message, sent by UGC Public Relations and Publication Department Director Dr Shamsul Arefin, said Khaleda Zia, a resolute and courageous leader, guided the people of Bangladesh in the struggle to establish democratic rights. She will remain eternally remembered by the younger generation as a symbol of exemplary leadership.
Her passing is an irreparable loss to the nation and has created a deep void in the country’s political arena, it said.
Dr Faiz prayed for the forgiveness of the departed soul of Khaleda Zia and expressed heartfelt sympathy to her bereaved family members.
The statement further said that Khaleda Zia, a three-time former prime minister, had proposed the introduction of the ‘Prime Minister’s Gold Medal’ through the UGC to recognise outstanding academic performance of meritorious students at the undergraduate level in public universities.
It also noted that during her tenure, several public and private universities, including the National University, Bangladesh Open University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University and Jagannath University, were established, playing an important role in expanding higher education in the country. The nation will forever remember with respect her remarkable contribution to the promotion of women’s education.
Jashore University of Science and Technology
Jashore University of Science and Technology Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Abdul Majid has expressed deep sorrow over the death of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
In a condolence message, the vice-chancellor said Khaleda Zia was a symbol of national unity and trust, and under her uncompromising leadership the country was able to successfully overcome crises at different times. With her death, the country has lost an experienced, wise and influential political leader, which will create a long-term vacuum in the political arena.
He said her tireless struggle and sacrifice to establish democracy and the rights of the people would continue to guide future generations for years to come, adding that her unique contribution to the country and the nation will remain unforgettable.
On behalf of the university’s teachers, students, officers and employees, he also expressed deep condolences, praying for the forgiveness of her departed soul and conveying heartfelt sympathy to her family members, supporters and long-time associates.
Lawyers’ Association
Bangladesh Law association convener Advocate Monir Hossain has expressed condolences over the death of former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
In a condolence message signed by the association’s convener on Tuesday, the organisation prayed for the forgiveness of the departed soul of Khaleda Zia.
The message said Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and also served as leader of the opposition, adding that during the anti-autocracy movement against Ershad she did not compromise with the autocrat, unlike others, and earned a place in the hearts of the people as an uncompromising leader.
It said she fought to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty without bowing to any foreign power acting against national interests.
The message said that during the long rule of the Sheikh Hasina government, Khaleda Zia was jailed inhumanely through false and baseless cases and verdicts delivered on orders.
It further said Sheikh Hasina consistently served foreign interests and took a position against the country and its people through enforced disappearances, killings and repression, while Khaleda Zia always stood by the people and repeatedly endured imprisonment in an uncompromising struggle to protect national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association has also expressed deep sorrow over the death of Khaleda Zia.
In a condolence message signed by Association President Barrister AM Mahbubuddin Khokon on Tuesday, prayers were offered for the forgiveness of her departed soul and deep sympathy was extended to the bereaved family.
The message said Khaleda Zia was a guardian of the people of Bangladesh, and her death at a time of political crisis has created a huge void. It also expressed hope that the nation would transform this grief into strength.
FBCCI
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, three-time elected former prime minister and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
In a condolence message, the country’s apex trade body said the nation would remember with gratitude Khaleda Zia’s contribution and her long struggle to establish democracy and safeguard the rights of the people of Bangladesh.
“With her passing, the nation has lost an honest and patriotic leader. Through her prolonged struggle and uncompromising leadership, the nation repeatedly drew inspiration for freedom. The business community also found her standing by its side during various critical moments,” said the message sent by Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Administrator Md Abdur Rahim Khan.
The organisation also prayed for the eternal peace of Begum Khaleda Zia’s departed soul and expressed its deepest sympathy to her bereaved family members.
BCB
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has postponed Tuesday’s Bangladesh Premier League matches in observance of national mourning following the death of former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The board said the matches scheduled for Tuesday—Sylhet Titans vs Chattogram Royals and Dhaka Capitals vs Rangpur Riders—will be rescheduled, with revised dates to be announced later.
In a condolence message, the Bangladesh Cricket Board paid tribute to Khaleda Zia’s contributions to Bangladeshi cricket, citing her role in improving infrastructure and promoting the sport during her tenure as prime minister. The board also offered prayers for her departed soul and expressed sympathy to her bereaved family.
Khaleda Zia died at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at 6am on Tuesday at the age of 80.
Gono Odhikar Parishad
In a joint condolence message, Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haq Nur and Acting General Secretary Hasan Al Mamun said Khaleda Zia was a frontline figure in the movement to restore democracy and a symbol of national unity in post-fascist Bangladesh.
They said the former prime minister was a unique source of inspiration for the country’s democratic movement, adding that her lifelong struggle against autocracy, repression and injustice would remain a bright and proud chapter in Bangladesh’s political history.
The leaders said her death is not the loss of any single party alone but an irreparable loss for the entire nation, creating a deep void in the country’s political landscape.
They added that her steadfast commitment to protecting independence and sovereignty, and her fearless stand against oppression and persecution, would remain a lasting lesson and example for future generations of politicians.
Leaders of Gono Odhikar Parishad at all levels prayed for the forgiveness of her departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to her bereaved family members as well as leaders and activists of the BNP, praying that Almighty Allah grant her the highest place in Jannah.
