Staff Reporter:
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan yesterday alleged that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would never be able to evade responsibility for the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
“On February 8, 2018, Khaleda Zia walked into jail on her own feet after being subjected to personal vengeance of fascist Hasina. But she came out of prison seriously ill,” he said while speaking at Manik Mia Avenue shortly before Khaleda Zia’s namaz-e-janaza.
Nazrul Islam said Khaleda’s prolonged imprisonment, denial of proper medical treatment and re-strictions on treatment abroad had severely damaged her health and ultimately led to her death.
“According to doctors at home and abroad, her illness worsened because she was denied the opportunity to receive treatment overseas during four years of house arrest. As a result, this unconquerable leader eventually succumbed to death. So, the fascist Hasina will never be free of responsibility for this death,” he said.
Khaleda’s body was taken to a temporary stage set up at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad around 2:45pm for her janaza.
Later, Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief life sketch of Khaleda Zia on behalf of the party.
He explained the circumstances that led her to enter politics and highlighted her long struggle for de-mocracy, her unwavering commitment to democratic values and her deep patriotism.
The BNP leader also recalled her contributions to the country and urged everyone to pray for her depart-ed soul.
Nazrul said Khaleda Zia never bowed before any domestic or foreign force, nor did she compromise on democracy, freedom of expression or voting rights, despite facing repeated repression. “She was jailed during the rule of autocrat Hussein Muhammad Ershad, during the so-called 1/11 regime and again un-der Sheikh Hasina,” he said.
The BNP leader said Khaleda was evicted from her residence linked to the memory of her martyred hus-band, late President Ziaur Rahman, and sentenced to 17 years in prison on what he described as false charges.
“Yet she never compromised with authoritarian politics. This is why she became an enduring inspiration in the struggle against fascism,” Nazrul said.
