Today, May 30, marks the 45th death anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, former President of Bangladesh, the proclaimer of independence, a sector commander in the Liberation War, founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and a pioneer of multi-party democracy in the country.
Ziaur Rahman was assassinated on May 30, 1981, at the Chattogram Circuit House by a group of mutinous army officers amid what BNP describes as a domestic and international conspiracy.
To commemorate the occasion, BNP has announced an eight-day programme from May 25 to June 1. As part of the observance, special posters are being displayed nationwide, while party leaders and activists are wearing black badges. Special supplements are also being published in newspapers and online news portals.
According to the programme, party flags are being flown at half-mast and black flags hoisted at BNP offices across the country, including the party’s central office in Naya Paltan, from 6:00 am today.
At 11:00 am, Prime Minister and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to lead senior party leaders and activists in paying tribute at the grave of Ziaur Rahman. A prayer gathering organized by the Jatiyatabadi Olama Dal will be held at the mausoleum premises following the tribute ceremony.
The party is also distributing clothes, rice, lentils, and other food items among underprivileged and low-income people through its units in Dhaka and across the country.
Similar programmes, including discussions, prayer meetings, and the distribution of food and clothing among the poor, are being observed by BNP’s district, metropolitan, and local units nationwide.
On May 31, a discussion meeting will be held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in Ramna, Dhaka, organized by BNP.
Ziaur Rahman served as one of the sector commanders of the Liberation War and commander of the Z Force. He founded BNP, which has grown into one of Bangladesh’s largest political parties.
He is widely credited by his supporters with introducing multi-party democracy in Bangladesh and is often referred to by them as a pioneer of the country’s democratic political system. He is also remembered as one of the visionaries behind the establishment of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Under his political philosophy of Bangladeshi nationalism, BNP developed into a major political force in the country. The party formed the government after securing a majority in the 13th National Parliamentary Election held on February 12. Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of Ziaur Rahman and current BNP chairman, is serving as Prime Minister.
BNP has governed Bangladesh on five occasions since its founding.
Every year, the anniversary is observed by BNP, its associate bodies, and people from various walks of life. This year’s observance carries particular significance as it is the party’s first death anniversary commemoration of Ziaur Rahman since returning to power.
However, the programmes are being held without former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who passed away in December last year.