Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia has been laid to rest in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, beside the grave of her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman.
Ziaur Rahman, a former president of Bangladesh and a key commander of the country’s Liberation War, was assassinated during a military coup in Chattogram on May 30, 1981. Initially, his body was buried in a hilly area of Rangunia in Chattogram. It was later exhumed and brought to Dhaka, where the then government buried him with full state honors at Sher-e-Bangla Park.
During the government of Hussain Muhammad Ershad, the park was renamed Chandrima Udyan. When the BNP later came to power, the name was changed to Zia Udyan. After the Awami League assumed office, the park was again renamed Chandrima Udyan. Following the fall of the Awami League government, signboards bearing the name “Zia Udyan” have reappeared at the site.
Political historian Mohiuddin Ahmed said the decision to bury Ziaur Rahman at the location with state honors was taken under the leadership of then acting President Abdus Sattar, regardless of the park’s name.
Former junior minister ABM Ruhul Hawladar Amin was present during the funeral and burial process. Speaking to the BBC, Amin said the proposal had been put forward by Sattar and unanimously approved by the cabinet, with support from then army chief Hussain Muhammad Ershad.
He said the decision was made because Ziaur Rahman had established a multiparty democratic system in the country, making the area near the parliament building an appropriate burial site.
Following a decision by the BNP, Khaleda Zia was also buried with full state honors beside Ziaur Rahman’s grave. Khaleda Zia, who had been undergoing long-term medical treatment, died on Tuesday at a hospital in Dhaka.
The 1981 Political Context: The Assassination of Ziaur Rahman
On May 29, 1981, Ziaur Rahman traveled to Chattogram on a two-day visit to resolve internal party disputes. According to leaders accompanying him, he went to sleep after midnight. A few hours later, a group of military officers attacked the Chattogram Circuit House and opened fire, killing him at the scene.
News of his death was first broadcast on radio on the morning of May 30. Later that day, Vice President Justice Abdus Sattar took oath as acting president and formally announced Rahman’s death in a national address.
After the assassination, Rahman’s body was secretly taken to the Rangunia hill area. Contemporary newspaper reports said military officers buried the body at a concealed location. Subsequently, divisions emerged among soldiers involved in the coup, with some officers shifting allegiance to the Abdus Sattar government. The government ordered rebel soldiers to surrender.
Major General Manzoor and Colonel Matiur Rahman, among others, fled on the night of May 31. Manzoor was later captured and shot dead. On June 1, then Brigadier Hannan Shah located Rahman’s body after local residents reported a newly dug grave in the hilly area.
Soldiers excavated the site and recovered the bodies of Rahman and two other military officers. The remains were first taken to the Chattogram cantonment and later flown to Dhaka by helicopter.
On June 2, the body was placed at the parliament building to allow the public to pay their respects. Funeral prayers were held at Manik Mia Avenue at 12:30 p.m., and Ziaur Rahman was buried at 1:00 p.m. beside a lake near the parliament building.
Forty-four years later, Khaleda Zia has been buried beside her husband at the same site. Political researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed said the parliament area had been considered the most appropriate burial place for Ziaur Rahman and noted that many Awami League lawmakers were present at the ceremony.
