Sea of mourners at Zia’s funeral
DHAKA: Former Bangladesh PM and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was laid to rest with full state honours beside her husband and former President Ziaur Rahman here on Wednesday, as hundreds of thousands of people bid an emotional farewell to the three-time PM.External affairs minister S Jaishankar, among the foreign dignitaries who attended her funeral, handed over a personal letter from PM Modi to Zia’s son and BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman.
Modi wrote to Tarique that while Zia’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void, her vision and legacy will endure. “I am confident her ideals will be carried forward under your able leadership of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and will continue to serve as a guiding light to ensure a new beginning and the enrichment of the deep and historic partnership between India and Bangladesh.” Zia, a towering political figure, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. People from all walks of life started pouring into the capital from different part’s of the country for her funeral as the news of her death spread.Her coffin, draped in the national flag, was brought to the funeral site in a convoy from her residence, and interim govt chief Muhammad Yunus and Tarique were among those who joined the funeral prayers. Senior leaders from Pakistan, Nepal and other countries also attended the funeral at Manik Mia Avenue of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (Parliament Building).After reaching Dhaka, Jaishankar met Tarique – Zia’s eldest son and a PM front-runner who returned to Bangladesh on Dec 25 after an over 17-year self-exile in London and ahead of the Feb 12 election.”Handed over to him a personal letter from PM Narendra Modi. Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the govt and people of India,” Jaishankar wrote on X. Thousands of mourners gathered outside the parliament complex to have a last glimpse of their beloved leader. BNP supporters were seen carrying flags featuring Zia’s photographs. “Please pray to Allah seeking her place in heaven,” Tarique told the crowd ahead of the funeral prayers.Baitul Mokarram National Mosque’s chief cleric Mohammad Abdul Kader led the funeral prayers (namaz-e-janaza). Senior BNP member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief biography of Zia. Bangladesh high commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah, who is in Dhaka, said the two countries would look forward to script a new chapter in their ties. Representatives from 33 countries, including ambassadors, and heads of international organisations stationed in Dhaka attended Zia’s funeral prayers.
