Dhaka witnessed an extraordinary and historic scene on 31 December 2025 as hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets for the janaza and burial of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
The country’s first female prime minister passed away on 30 December at Evercare Hospital, Dhaka, at 6am, following multiple complications from a lung infection.
A medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, including specialist doctors from China and the United Kingdom, had overseen her treatment since her admission on 23 November. Despite intensive care, Khaleda Zia succumbed to her illness, prompting an outpouring of grief across the nation.
Janaza: A sea of mourning
Her funeral prayer, or namaz-e-janaza, was held at 3:04pm at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad premises, led by Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek, Khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Among those present were her son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman—returning to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile—his wife Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter Zaima Rahman.
From early morning, an unprecedented wave of mourners made their way to Manik Mia Avenue and surrounding streets. People walked silently for kilometres along the capital’s arteries, stretching from the National Parliament’s South Plaza east to Farmgate, west to Asad Gate and Dhanmondi Russell Square, and north to Agargaon. The human tide spanned kilometres in every direction, forming what observers described as a “mahasamudra”—a vast ocean of grief and devotion.
Despite the enormous crowd, the gathering remained remarkably disciplined. There were no slogans, no loud processions—only a hushed, solemn flow of citizens paying their respects. Law enforcement’s instructions were followed meticulously, and people prayed silently for their beloved leader.
In the country’s history, the term “jonosamudra” (sea of people) has been used to describe funerals of prominent leaders, including national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in 1976, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani the same year, President Ziaur Rahman in 1981, and more recently, Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Hadi. Yet, the scale of Khaleda Zia’s janaza appears to surpass all previous records. Eyewitnesses who had attended earlier large gatherings, including the late President Ziaur Rahman’s funeral, described this crowd as unparalleled. Estimates of attendance vary widely—some suggest ten million, others fifteen or twenty million—but the sheer scale is beyond precise measurement.
Burial with dignity and state honours
Khaleda Zia was laid to rest at the Zia Udyan on the north side of the parliament, beside her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, who had been killed in a failed military coup 24 years earlier. Her burial was conducted with full state honours, attended by dignitaries and foreign leaders, reflecting her enduring influence despite holding no government position at the time of her death.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury were present, along with the chiefs of the armed forces: Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan. Regional and foreign dignitaries included Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, and Bhutan’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel, many arriving on special flights for the funeral.
The scale of public attendance, coupled with the presence of regional dignitaries, underscores a unique phenomenon in Bangladeshi—and arguably global—political history: a leader, who had not held office for years, inspiring such unprecedented loyalty and devotion. Eyewitnesses and political analysts have remarked that the disciplined, silent, and massive turnout surpasses previous records, including those of President Ziaur Rahman in 1981 and other prominent national figures.
For many, the day was a testament to enduring respect, admiration, and affection for Khaleda Zia. Her janaza and burial demonstrated the depth of public emotion, transcending politics and leaving a historic imprint on the nation’s memory.
