Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) – Rangpur BNP mourned the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

A pall of mourning has descended across the city and the district, enveloping party leaders and workers as well as the general public.

Since Tuesday morning, bereaved leaders and workers have been crowding the BNP party office at the Grand Hotel intersection in the city.

Many people came to the office and broke down in tears after looking at the party leader’s photo.

Quran recitation was held there in the morning and a milad mehfil was held in the afternoon.

Party leaders and workers are raising black flags, wearing black badges and reciting the Holy Quran throughout the city, and using microphones to spread the message of Begum Khaleda Zia’s death.

Metropolitan BNP convener Md Shamsuzzaman Samu, member-secretary Advocate Mahfuz-un-Nabi Don, former district BNP president Emdadul Haque Bharsha, Kawnia BNP leader Monayem Faruk and others were present at the milad and doa mehfil held to pray for the soul of Begum Khaleda Zia.

In addition, BNP leaders organised Quran recitation and prayers at mosques, madrasas and orphanages at various ward, union, municipality and upazila levels to pray for the soul of Begum Khaleda Zia.

Addressing the occasion at the party office, Shamsuzzaman Samu said that Begum Khaleda Zia had been given the title of an uncompromising leader by the countrymen due to her sacrifices in her political life.

“If she wanted, she could have lived a comfortable life abroad. But she stayed in the country out of love for the people, and was subjected to imprisonment and oppression,” Samu said.

The general public, including leaders and activists of BNP at all levels, are mourning her death. The void created in the political arena by her death cannot be filled.

He also said that Begum Khaleda Zia was a symbol of Himalayan patience. She spoke about the rights of the people of this country until her death, disregarding imprisonment, illness and personal grief.

“An uncompromising history came to an end with her death,” he said.

Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Don said that with the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh lost an uncompromising, experienced and far-sighted political guardian.

“The void created in our party will never be filled. We have lost a beacon whose absence can never be filled,” he said.

He also said that Begum Khaleda Zia’s name would take first place in the democratic movement and struggle of the people of Bangladesh, because whenever Bangladesh was in crisis or disaster, Begum Khaleda Zia held the reins firmly.

He said that leaders and activists from Rangpur have left for Dhaka individually or in groups to attend Khaleda Zia’s funeral.

Rangpur District BNP convener Md Saiful Islam said that Begum Khaleda Zia would forever be a source of inspiration for the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh.

Her death has not only created a political vacuum, but Bangladesh has also lost its compassionate guardian.

The way she held the reins of the country in adverse times is rare in world history.

He also said that Begum Zia never bowed down to any hegemonic power or compromised during her lifetime. She was steadfast in crises and struggles. Khaleda Zia went through many ups and downs in her political life.

Her honesty, courage and uncompromising patriotism elevated her from a housewife to the Prime Minister’s seat three times.

“We pray to the Almighty Allah to grant this noble woman the highest place in Paradise. May Allah grant her family and the countrymen the strength to bear this grief,” he said.

The district and metropolitan BNP are holding separate programmes to pray for the forgiveness of the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia.