Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away in Dhaka at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. She was 80 years old and had been on a ventilator for the past 20 days. Khaleda had been suffering from a chest infection, liver, kidney, diabetes, arthritis, and eye problems for several years. Her family and party leaders confirmed her death. She served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh twice, from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006. She was the wife of former President Ziaur Rahman. Khaleda Zia’s political career was fraught with turmoil. She was detained by the Pakistani army during the 1971 Liberation War. She remained in Pakistani military captivity from July to December. She was released after Pakistan’s defeat on December 16, 1971. In her later years, her political career remained marked by conflict, protests, and attacks. In 2015, during her campaign for the mayoral election in Dhaka, her convoy was subjected to firing and stone-pelting, but she narrowly escaped. Khaleda’s stance was anti-India. Khaleda Zia’s stance towards India was often confrontational. She repeatedly stated that Bangladesh’s sovereignty and security were paramount. While serving as Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia opposed granting India a route through Bangladeshi territory. India wanted this route to reach its northeastern states. Khaleda Zia stated that this would threaten Bangladesh’s security. She also opposed the extension of the 1972 India-Bangladesh Friendship Treaty, arguing that this treaty weakened Bangladesh. She often stated that her party, the BNP, was working to protect Bangladesh from Indian domination. At a rally in 2018, she stated that Bangladesh would not be allowed to become an “Indian state.” To read all the major updates related to Khaleda Zia’s death, visit the blog below…
