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BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday said former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia never compromised on her principles despite facing grave risks throughout her political career.
He made the remarks at a milad and doa mahfil organised by the BNP at its central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka, marking Khaleda Zia’s 82nd birth anniversary.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the programme as the chief guest.
“We are here today to observe the 82nd birth anniversary of Begum Khaleda Zia. In the past, we celebrated her birthday every year, and she used to be present at those programmes. The difference today is that she is no longer with us,” Moyeen Khan said.
He said Khaleda Zia had remained steadfast in her political principles despite facing repeated risks to her life.
“Throughout her uncompromising political life, she risked her life but never compromised on matters of principle,” he said.
“On her 82nd birth anniversary, we pay our deepest respect to her steadfast principles,” he added.
Recalled role in anti-Ershad movement
Recalling Khaleda Zia’s entry into frontline politics, Moyeen Khan said she took to the streets in 1982 and accepted the challenge of restoring democracy in the country.
He said Khaleda, who had previously been a housewife, eventually emerged as a leading figure in the movement against the autocratic regime of HM Ershad.
“From being a housewife, she came onto the streets and led an eight-year-long movement against autocratic Ershad. She won the hearts of the people of Bangladesh and was elected the country’s first woman prime minister through the people’s votes,” he said.
Moyeen Khan said Khaleda’s political journey should be viewed in the broader historical context of Bangladesh’s struggle for independence and democracy.
“We have to go back a little into the past. It is not enough to talk only about the 1980s. We must remember 1971,” he said.
Recalled Liberation War period
Referring to Khaleda Zia’s experience during the 1971 Liberation War, Moyeen Khan said her role during the period should also be remembered.
He recalled the time when Khaleda Zia faced the realities of the war while raising her two young children.
“We must not forget the day when, with her two young children, she took the oath of the Liberation War. We must also remember the day when Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence,” he said.
Moyeen Khan said Khaleda Zia had sent her husband, then Major Ziaur Rahman, towards the Liberation War while remaining with their two children, describing the circumstances as an extraordinary part of the country’s history.
‘Never compromised with democracy’
Moyeen Khan said Khaleda Zia remained committed to democracy throughout the later stages of her political life.
“From 2008 until the last day of her life, she never compromised with democracy. She went to jail and fought against injustice, irregularities, autocracy and fascism. But she never bowed her head before anyone,” he said.
The BNP organised the milad and doa mahfil as part of its programmes marking Khaleda Zia’s birth anniversary. Party leaders and activists offered prayers for the forgiveness of her soul.
BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Vice-President Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Vice-Chairman and Liberation War Affairs Minister Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and other senior leaders attended the programme.