History never ends:

Begum Khaleda Zia. It’s not just a name only. The epic of a great woman who became a legend from an ordinary housewife, on every page of which is written a unique history of the struggle for democracy and rights. Despite being the wife of the army chief and later the first lady, she became an icon of democracy from an ordinary housewife who was completely unassuming. When her husband President Ziaur Rahman was martyred in a failed military coup, she became helpless with her two children. Then she entered politics and took over the party.

The streets were bustling with anti-Ershad protests at that time. Begum Khaleda Zia and other leaders in the anti-Ershad movement decided that no election could be held under Ershad. Sheikh Hasina declared on January 24, 1988 at Laldighi Maidan in Chittagong that anyone who would run for election under Ershad was a national traitor. Later, Hasina herself participated the election under Ershad in exchange for money. Again, she continued the movement of showing off. Awami League workers would come to the field and see – Hasina was not there. They used to hold anti-Ershad movements with BNP workers under the leadership of Khaleda Zia. Gradually, Khaleda Zia became the leader of all, regardless of party affiliation – “Deshnetri”.

Through various dramas and struggles, she won the 1991 election with her charismatic politics and uncompromising personality, making history as the first female Prime Minister in the history of Bangladesh.

The path of this leader, who was dedicated to the people of the country, was not smooth. Hasina left the country by reaching an agreement with the 1/11 government in 2007. The army told her, “You also leave the country. Your sons will be released. You will also be acquitted of the case. You can spend the rest of your days abroad in peace. Look, Hasina has already left the country.” Begum Zia said, “I have no address outside the country.” The army gave up and left the country by holding a rigged election for a safe exit.

Hasina came back to the power in January 6, 2009 and turned into a Frankenstein-like monster. This terrible psycho ruler ran a steamroller of oppression on Begum Khaleda Zia as well as the opposition and dissent. Begum Khaleda Zia, a unique symbol of struggle and resistance, was a victim of extreme political revenge. She was thrown into prison with a formal verdict in a false and fabricated case. People all over the world knew about these fake cases. In July 15, 2017; she went to London for treatment. The now-defunct banned political party Awami League said at that time that Khaleda Zia had gone abroad to escape prison. She would not return to the country. Despite knowing that she would definitely go to prison, she returned to the country. She was kept in an abandoned cell in the prison. She was subjected to slow poisoning. If she did not returned from abroad to avoid unfair trials by Hasina, no one would have blamed her. But she came back. She even went to jail. She knew that this was not a prison, but a grave. She went to the grave even though she knew that there was no possibility of getting out of here. Despite the 100% possibility of poisoning the food, she took that food. She did not agree to live a safe and comfortable life abroad, leaving the people of the country in Hasina’s terrible situation.

Various complex diseases were gradually consuming her, and due to lack of proper treatment, she was slowly moving towards death. But she clung to this land with love for the country and its people.
In 5 August 2024, after Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in the face of an unprecedented mass movement and fled to India, Begum Khaleda Zia was released by executive order. This undisputed leader of the people did not utter any harsh words or negative comments against anyone in response to the historic victory of the student masses. Begum Khaleda Zia, the mother of democracy, set an exemplary example of tolerance and generosity in both oppression and victory.

After that, she was seen attending the party’s political activities and state and diplomatic events to a limited extent. She was last seen feeling uncomfortable in the car while leaving to attend the Armed Forces Day ceremony on November 21, 2025. Later, she had difficulty breathing and was taken to the hospital on an emergency basis on November 22.

Since the 90s, Bangladeshi politics has revolved around Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina for a long time. Due to Hasina’s demonic nature, Khaleda Zia was forced to remain inactive for a long time. Although there were differences of opinion among the active political parties in Bangladesh on various issues after August 5, 25; Khaleda Zia was a symbol of unity for all parties. As a political guardian, she was at the top of everyone’s favorites. No one is innocent in politics. Despite dissent and criticism, Begum Khaleda Zia will forever be a bright star in the history of Bangladesh on issues of independence, sovereignty, democracy and national unity.

All her dreams have been fulfilled. She wanted to die seeing the fall of the fascists Hasina. She was close to her family at the end of her life. Not being allowed to seek treatment abroad, being imprisoned, being evicted from her home, various mockery, scolding and insults – all were defeated by Begum Zia’s Infinite patience and concentration. Sheikh Hasina fled and took shelter in India. The insults she often did to everyone, the people of Bangladesh returned the insults to her and forced to leave the country with just forty minutes’ notice. Begum Zia celebrated the victory of the people calmly. Then she also took the much-awaited treatment abroad. Her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, was forced to leave the country in a wheelchair 16 years ago. That son received her at the airport and drove his mother to the hospital. This is a fairy tale of family reunion.

Khaleda Zia could have died quietly in a solitary prison. She could have died watching her son become the Prime Minister. She could have died as the President if her party had come to power. But no, she died only as “Begum Khaleda Zia”. Not an adjective, her name itself will forever remain an unprecedented adjective of the indomitable fight for rights.

Begum Zia has gone away. Did she really go away? No, she settled deeper and permanently in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh. In a royal & heart-breaking farewell, soaked in the love of the people, she responded to all the insults. She is and will remain – a vigilant guardian of the democracy, country and the people.

S M Masud Rana
Journalist
toart3@yahoo.com