Former acting president, former speaker of parliament and BNP Standing Committee member Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar was laid to rest at the Parliament graveyard on Sunday with state honours after lawmakers, political leaders paid their final respects.
His burial followed the second namaz-e-janaza, held after Asr prayers inside the entrance tunnel of the Parliament complex.
The venue was shifted from the South Plaza due to inclement weather.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the funeral alongside cabinet members, lawmakers, senior political leaders, government officials and members of Sircar’s family.
Following the janaza, the first wreath was placed on the coffin on behalf of President Mohammed Shahabuddin by Military Secretary Major General ASM Bahauddin.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman then paid his respects by placing a wreath on the coffin before laying another on behalf of BNP, accompanied by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party leaders.
Speaker Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, other parliamentary whips and officials of the Parliament Secretariat also offered floral tributes.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni paid tribute to Sircar’s long political career and contributions to the nation and parliament.
Earlier in the day, the National Parliament adopted a condolence motion over his death.
Lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches remembered the veteran politician’s public service before observing a one-minute silence and offering special prayers for the eternal peace of his soul.
The second funeral prayer was attended by Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman, Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, cabinet colleagues, lawmakers, senior government officials, Parliament Secretariat officials and members of Sircar’s family, including his eldest son and lawmaker Barrister Nawshad Jamir.
His first namaz-e-janaza was held after Zohr prayers at Taqwa Mosque in Dhanmondi.
In a condolence message, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said Jamiruddin Sircar had served the country with integrity, wisdom and dedication throughout his long political career.
He said the nation would remember Jamiruddin Sircar with deep respect for his role in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting parliamentary practices and serving the people. The prime minister also described the veteran leader as a wise, honest and dedicated personality.
Meanwhile, BNP announced a nationwide one-day mourning programme for Monday following Jamiruddin Sircar’s death.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said black flags would be hoisted at party offices across the country, while leaders and activists would wear black badges as part of the observance.
Jamiruddin Sircar died at Bangladesh Specialised Hospital in Dhaka at 4:18am on Sunday while undergoing treatment.
A founding member of the BNP, Jamiruddin Sircar served as Speaker of the Eighth National Parliament and as acting president from 21 June to 6 September, 2002, following the resignation of then president Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury.
During his decades-long political career, he held several important ministerial portfolios, including housing and public works, foreign affairs, land, education, science and technology, and law.
He was also widely respected as a Supreme Court lawyer for his contributions to constitutional law, parliamentary practice and democratic governance.
Jamiruddin Sircar is survived by a daughter, Nilufar Jamir, and two sons-Barrister Nawshad Jamir, MP, and Naufel Jamir.
