Bangladesh Bids Farewell to Khaleda Zia as Thousands Gather for Former Prime Minister’s Funeral

In a powerful display of public mourning that transcended Bangladesh’s fractured political landscape, tens of thousands of citizens converged on Dhaka Monday to pay their final respects to Khaleda Zia, the nation’s first female prime minister and long-standing opposition figure. The funeral procession, heavily guarded by military personnel deployed throughout the capital, marked a momentous yet tense chapter in Bangladesh’s tumultuous political history, coming just weeks after unprecedented civil unrest toppled the government of Sheikh Hasina, Zia’s decades-long political rival.

A Nation in Mourning Amid Heightened Security

The streets of Dhaka transformed into rivers of humanity as supporters traveled from across the country despite transportation challenges and security concerns. Military vehicles positioned at strategic intersections throughout the capital served as a stark reminder of the fragile stability following July’s political uprising that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country after 15 years in power. Soldiers maintained a visible but measured presence, reflecting authorities’ determination to prevent any disruption to the proceedings while allowing citizens to express their grief.

“She was more than a political leader to us – she was a mother figure to Bangladesh,” said Mohammed Rahman, a 57-year-old supporter who traveled overnight from Chittagong to attend the funeral. “Despite all the persecution she faced, she never abandoned her principles or her people.” Such sentiments echoed throughout the procession as mourners, many carrying Bangladesh’s green and red flag or portraits of the former leader, followed Zia’s casket through the capital’s main thoroughfares toward her final resting place at the family mausoleum in the city’s historic district.

Political Legacy of Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister

Khaleda Zia’s political journey embodied Bangladesh’s complex post-independence narrative. Rising to prominence following the 1981 assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, she transformed from a reluctant political heir into a formidable leader who twice served as prime minister (1991-1996 and 2001-2006). Her leadership coincided with critical periods in Bangladesh’s democratic development, overseeing economic reforms that helped establish the foundation for the country’s subsequent growth as a garment manufacturing powerhouse.

Her relationship with Sheikh Hasina, daughter of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, defined Bangladesh’s politics for over three decades. Their bitter rivalry, often characterized as “the battle of the begums,” polarized the nation’s political landscape and frequently overshadowed policy debates. “Their personal animosity became institutionalized within our political system,” explained Dr. Asif Nazrul, professor of political science at Dhaka University. “While both achieved significant firsts for women in leadership, their inability to find common ground created a zero-sum political environment that ultimately undermined democratic institutions.”

Zia’s final years were marked by legal challenges that her supporters characterized as political persecution. Convicted on corruption charges in 2018, she spent over four years in prison before being released to house arrest for medical treatment in 2022. Her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted multiple elections during Hasina’s tenure, citing unfair conditions and government interference, further deepening political divisions that eventually contributed to this summer’s uprising.

The Funeral Procession: A Moment of National Significance

The funeral cortège began at Evercare Hospital, where Zia, 78, died on Monday following complications from diabetes, arthritis, and liver ailments. Her body, draped in the national flag and surrounded by floral tributes, was transported on an open vehicle through neighborhoods where emotional crowds chanted “Long live Khaleda Zia” and “Mother of Democracy.” The procession paused at significant locations including the BNP headquarters, where the party’s acting chairman and Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, addressed mourners via video link from his exile in London.

“My mother dedicated her life to Bangladesh’s democratic future,” Rahman told the assembled crowd, his voice breaking with emotion. “She endured imprisonment, separation from family, and countless hardships because she believed in the people’s right to determine their own destiny.” The statement reflected the BNP’s positioning of Zia as a democratic martyr who stood against what they characterized as Hasina’s increasingly authoritarian rule.

The funeral prayer service, known as Namaz-e-Janaza, was held at the national parliament grounds – a location with particular significance as Zia had been denied access to the parliament she once led during her final years. Military honors were accorded to the former prime minister, with a guard of honor and gun salute acknowledging her status as one of Bangladesh’s most consequential political figures. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, was represented by several officials in a demonstration of national unity transcending partisan divisions.

International Response and Diplomatic Significance

Zia’s passing prompted an outpouring of condolences from global leaders, highlighting her international stature. Representatives from neighboring India, Pakistan, and China attended the funeral, alongside diplomats from Western nations including the United States and United Kingdom. The attendance of foreign dignitaries underscored Bangladesh’s strategic importance in South Asia and the international community’s investment in the country’s stability during its current political transition.

“Khaleda Zia played a significant role in Bangladesh’s democratic journey and will be remembered for her contributions to the nation’s development,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a statement, carefully balancing diplomatic protocol with recognition of India’s historically closer ties to Hasina’s Awami League. Pakistan’s prime minister noted Zia’s efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, while China’s representative highlighted economic partnerships established during her administrations.

International observers noted the funeral’s peaceful execution as a positive sign for Bangladesh’s political stabilization. “The interim government faces the delicate task of honoring a divisive but historically significant leader while preventing the moment from rekindling tensions,” said Jennifer Peterson, South Asia analyst at the International Crisis Group. “How this moment is handled could either reinforce healing or reopen wounds in Bangladesh’s polarized political landscape.”

Looking Forward: Implications for Bangladesh’s Political Future

As Bangladesh absorbs the loss of one of its most influential political figures, attention turns to the nation’s path forward. The interim government has promised free and fair elections within months, potentially reshaping a political landscape long dominated by the personal rivalry between Zia and Hasina. Without these towering figures at the helm of their respective parties, Bangladesh faces both uncertainty and opportunity.

The BNP, deprived of its iconic leader but energized by recent political developments, must navigate a transition of its own. Tarique Rahman remains the party’s de facto leader despite his exile, but questions persist about the party’s direction and ability to modernize its platform beyond opposition to Hasina. Meanwhile, the Awami League, still processing Hasina’s dramatic fall from power, faces an identity crisis after losing its leader of over four decades.

“Bangladesh stands at a crossroads,” observed Dr. Sharmeen Ahmed, political historian at BRAC University. “The passing of Khaleda Zia represents not just the end of an era but potentially the beginning of a new political paradigm less defined by personality and more by policy.” For ordinary Bangladeshis who lined the streets to bid farewell to their former leader, the hope remains that the sacrifices of recent months might lead to a more stable, democratic future – one that honors rather than erases the complex legacies of leaders like Khaleda Zia while moving beyond the personalized politics that dominated her era.

As night fell over Dhaka and Zia was laid to rest beside her husband in the Rahman family mausoleum, the crowds slowly dispersed – returning to a country forever marked by her influence yet facing an uncertain future without her. In death, as in life, Khaleda Zia remains a powerful symbol in Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle to balance democratic aspirations with political stability and economic progress.