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Bangladesh Mourns Khaleda Zia: Chief Adviser Calls for Unity in "Difficult Period"

Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation following the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, urging citizens to remain united and vigilant against instability during this period of national grief. He praised Zia as a pivotal figure in Bangladesh's democratic history, highlighting her role in establishing multi-party politics and opposing autocracy. The government has declared three days of state mourning and a public holiday for her funeral. Zia, who had long-standing health issues, passed away in a Dhaka hospital, prompting an outpouring of grief from supporters and a seven-day mourning period declared by her BNP party.

Key Points: Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Calls for Unity After Khaleda Zia's Death

  • Call for national unity
  • Praise for Zia's democratic legacy
  • Warning against exploiting mourning
  • Announcement of state mourning
3 min read

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser calls for 'unity' in address to nation after Khaleda Zia death, says "difficult period for the nation"

Following the death of former PM Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus urges national unity and vigilance against instability during state mourning.

"During this difficult period for the nation, we must remain united. - Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus"

Dhaka, December 30

Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, on Tuesday called for national unity following the death of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, describing the period as "difficult" for the country.

In an address to the nation, Yunus expressed profound grief over Khaleda Zia's passing, calling her "a great guardian" and "a truly illustrious and distinguished personality in the political history of Bangladesh."

"In this moment of national grief, I earnestly call upon you all to pray to Almighty Allah, from your respective positions, for the forgiveness of the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia. At the same time, during this difficult period for the nation, we must remain united. I urge everyone to remain vigilant so that no one can exploit this moment of mourning to create instability or engage in acts of sabotage. It is crucial that we all act responsibly during this time," the Chief Adviser of the interim government said.

He praised her role in promoting democracy, a multi-party political culture, and the rights of citizens, noting her leadership against autocracy and her unwavering commitment to national sovereignty.

"Her extraordinary role in the struggle to establish democracy, a multi-party political culture, and the rights of the people will remain forever etched in history. Her uncompromising leadership against autocracy and fascism repeatedly guided the nation toward freedom and showed the path out of undemocratic circumstances. The nation will always remember her outstanding contributions to the country with deep respect," Yunus said.

"The void left by such a visionary, courageous, and patriotic leader can never truly be filled," he added, urging citizens to pray for her soul and remain united to prevent instability or acts of sabotage during this period of mourning.

The Chief Adviser also announced three days of state mourning and declared a one-day general holiday on Wednesday, coinciding with Khaleda Zia's funeral prayer.

He further requested the public to maintain discipline and order during all funeral and mourning-related activities.

His address comes hours after the death of Begum Khaleda Zia in the early Tuesday morning at the age of 80 while she was undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

According to a BNP statement on Facebook, Zia died at around 6 am (local time), shortly after the Fajr prayer.

"Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00 am, just after Fajr prayer," the BNP statement read.

"We pray for the eternal peace of her soul and ask everyone to pray for her departed soul," it added.

Zia was admitted to the capital Dhaka's Evercare Hospital on November 23 with a lung infection. The former Prime Minister has been suffering from various physical ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications, for a long time, and earlier this month, she was sent to London for advanced medical treatment for her ailments.

Following her death, a large crowd gathered outside the hospital even as Begum Zia's son and BNP's Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, arrived to pay his respects to his late mother.

BNP also called for a seven-day mourning to mark the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Very sad news. She was a towering figure. I remember her visits to India and the complex but important relationship she helped manage. The call for unity is crucial. Hope the political transition remains peaceful for the sake of the common people. 🙏
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, while we mourn the passing of a leader, it's also a moment for Bangladesh to reflect. Her tenure had its share of controversies regarding extremism. The interim government must ensure a smooth democratic process now, without any vacuum that could be exploited.
S
Sarah B
Watching from abroad. A powerful woman leader in South Asia has passed. Her struggle for democracy is commendable. The address by the Chief Adviser seems measured and appropriate for the situation. Stability in Bangladesh is important for the whole region.
V
Vikram M
Om Shanti. A formidable political force is gone. Her legacy is intertwined with Bangladesh's journey. As an Indian, I hope this period of mourning brings introspection and continued peaceful ties between our nations. Unity, as Yunus said, is the need of the hour.
K
Karthik V
The passing of an era. Her role in opposing autocracy is her lasting legacy. The interim government has a delicate task. Let's hope the call for responsibility is heeded by all factions. A stable and democratic Bangladesh is good for South Asia's growth.

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