‘We have become orphans’
A day after the burial, crowds continued to gather at the grave of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. Party leaders, activists, and ordinary people from across the country arrived at Zia Udyan to offer Fateha and pay their tributes.
From early morning, visitors began arriving at the mausoleum in Dhaka, with many travelling overnight from distant districts to join in the tributes.
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By around 11:00am, a large crowd gathered at the entrance, with people waiting patiently to be allowed inside. For security reasons, access to the grave area remained restricted during the morning hours.
The entrance was opened shortly after noon. Once inside, mourners were seen offering Fateha, placing flowers and wreaths, and standing silently for moments of reflection.
The recitation from the Holy Quran continued intermittently beside the grave throughout the day. A large number of women came to see Khaleda's eternal resting place. Students arrived in small groups, some carrying flowers. Children came with their parents, while elderly visitors, many assisted by relatives, slowly made their way through the grounds.
Khaleda was laid to rest on Wednesday beside her late husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, following a namaz-e-janaza attended by a massive crowd.
Throughout the day, there were no slogans or speeches. Instead, visitors raised their hands in prayer, while some broke down in tears as they stood near the grave.
Speaking to journalists, Fatema Sharmin, who came from Munshiganj, said the news of Khaleda Zia's death had left her grief-stricken.
"When I heard the news, I was stunned," she said. "I could not sleep for the last two nights. That is why I rushed here. I thought I would touch the soil of Khaleda Zia's grave."
Sultan Mahmud, a Jubo Dal activist from Kurigram, said Khaleda Zia's legacy would endure. "As long as Bangladesh exists, no one will forget her. Generation after generation will remember her because she gave up everything to keep the flag of democracy flying."
BNP activist Saiful Alam, a resident of Dhaka's Badda, said the moment was emotionally overwhelming. "Today, the leader is no more. Today we are visiting her grave," he said. "She was our hero."
Aminul Islam from Nilphamari said Khaleda Zia had been a constant presence in his political life. "Since my childhood, when I joined Chhatra Dal, I saw her coming with party leaders and activists to pay respect at the grave of our martyred president," he said.
"Today she is no more. We have become orphans. But seeing the sea of people at her janaza gives us courage," he said.
BNP leaders were also seen at the mausoleum, though movement near the grave remained tightly controlled.
Lutfozzaman Babar, former state minister for home affairs, visited the grave in the morning amid strict security arrangements. BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince also offered prayers.
Security remained tight, with members of the army, police, and other law enforcement agencies deployed across Zia Udyan and surrounding areas. Checkpoints were set up at entry points, and crowd movement was closely monitored to prevent any untoward incident.
Firoza stands silent
"Firoza" had become Khaleda Zia's main residence after she was evicted from her cantonment house.
In 2018, Khaleda left Firoza for a court in Old Dhaka, where a verdict in a corruption case sent her directly to jail.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, when the then-government granted her temporary release under special conditions, she returned to stay once again at the Gulshan residence.
Party leaders said that even after her death, security arrangements at Firoza remain unchanged. Guard posts are still in place, and security personnel continue their duties.
BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said the house holds deep emotional value for those connected to it.
"Many memories of the BNP chairperson are tied to this house," he said. "People who have worked here for decades feel that connection very strongly."
A member of the BNP chairperson's security force said the absence was overwhelming.
"I used to be on Madam's duty. Today, Madam is no more. The house feels empty. When you go inside, there is a silence you can feel," he said.
Another security staff member recalled Khaleda Zia's personal care for them, saying she would often ask whether they had eaten properly.
Several security personnel on duty were seen wearing black badges, their faces marked by grief.
Next to Firoza is house number 196 -- allocated in Khaleda Zia's name in 1981 by the government of then acting president Abdus Sattar, following the death of Ziaur Rahman.
The ownership documents of the house were handed over to Khaleda a few months ago by the interim government.
Her son Tarique Rahman now lives here. Grieving the loss of his mother, the BNP acting chairman spent most of the day at home in prayer, BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon said.
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