The death of Begum Khaleda Zia, three-time Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), marks the end of one of the most influential and defining chapters in the political history of Bangladesh. At the age of 80, she breathed her last on Tuesday morning. Her life and legacy are deeply intertwined with the country’s democratic struggle, political rivalry, policy initiatives, and decades of polarization. Her departure is not merely the passing of a leader—it is the closure of an era shaped by a woman who defined and redefined Bangladesh’s politics for more than four decades.
Khaleda Zia’s political journey was extraordinary. Born in 1945 in Dinajpur, she entered politics after the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. What began as an unwilling entry gradually transformed into solid leadership. She became Chairperson of the BNP in 1984 and in 1991 assumed office as the country’s first female Prime Minister—an epoch-making milestone in the political history of Bangladesh and South Asia.
Her first administration is remembered for significant reforms in education—free and compulsory primary education, stipends for female students, and the Food for Education program that opened doors for millions of underprivileged children. She played a role in restoring the parliamentary form of government through the 12th Amendment. Her government initiated the construction of the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge and strengthened regional diplomacy by hosting the SAARC Summit in Dhaka in 1993.
But the road she walked was never free of challenges. The BNP–Awami League rivalry intensified street politics for decades—movements, election-related disputes, boycotts, and nationwide confrontations shaped the political climate. To her supporters, she was a determined leader; to her critics, a figure of contention. Yet, she was undeniably central to Bangladesh’s politics throughout her life.
During her third term in office (2001–2006), export earnings grew, remittance inflow surged, and the telecommunications sector expanded rapidly. Her government took stern initiatives on law and order, including forming specialized units, and its counter-terrorism actions drew notable attention. Corruption allegations emerged later—which her party and followers continuously rejected as politically motivated—and these cases overshadowed her later political life. Nevertheless, court verdicts eventually declared her innocent. Despite arrests, trials, imprisonment, and deteriorating health, she remained unyielding. In 2017, despite the risk of imprisonment, she chose to return home instead of staying abroad—a reflection of strength and conviction.
In her final years, illness frequently took her back to the hospital. Released in 2020 on humanitarian grounds, she was long denied permission for treatment abroad. After the political change in 2024, she regained full freedom. Though physically frail, her presence remained symbolic—an embodiment of resistance, memory, and history. Time and again, she emerged as a symbol of anti-autocracy movements and resistance to external dominance, standing for democracy, independence, and sovereignty.
Her passing leaves a political void—an emotional one for her followers, and a symbolic one for the nation. The long-standing rivalry between the two female leaders—Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina—has shaped the country’s political culture for generations. It is also worth noting that she never resorted to personal slander against her political opponents. As the nation mourns today, a question emerges alongside grief—can Bangladesh now move toward a more tolerant, less confrontational politics?
History will debate Khaleda Zia, but it will not forget her. She will be remembered as a symbol of democratic struggle, resilience, and political endurance. The loss is irreparable not only for her supporters but for Bangladesh itself. She was a guardian during turbulent times—her voice influential, relevant, and a witness to the making of history.
She will be remembered. And her legacy will continue to inspire—guiding the nation toward democracy, tolerance, and progress.
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