Bangladesh mourns Khaleda Zia in state funeral with massive crowds

Bangladesh bade farewell to erstwhile Prime Minister Khaleda Zia successful a authorities ceremonial that drew immense crowds mourning a towering governmental fig whose enactment shaped the federation for decades.

Zia, the archetypal pistillate to service arsenic premier curate successful the South Asian federation of 170 cardinal people, died connected Tuesday aged 80. Flags flew astatine half-mast crossed the state connected Wednesday arsenic thousands of information unit lined Dhaka’s streets portion her flag-draped coffin travelled done the capital.

Massive crowds gathered extracurricular Bangladesh’s parliament gathering for the ceremonial prayers. People from Dhaka and beyond streamed towards Manik Mia Avenue, wherever the parliament gathering is located, since aboriginal greeting to wage their past respects.

Retired authorities authoritative Minhaz Uddin, 70, came contempt ne'er having voted for her. “I came present with my grandson, conscionable to accidental goodbye to a seasoned person whose contributions volition ever beryllium remembered,” helium said, watching from down a barbed ligament barricade.

Zia entered authorities pursuing her husband’s decease and roseate to prominence opposing a subject ruler who was yet ousted successful a 1990 wide uprising. She archetypal became premier curate successful 1991 aft a landslide triumph erstwhile parliamentary ideology was introduced, and remained person of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party until her death.

Known for her calm demeanour, Zia maintained a beardown governmental rivalry with her archrival Sheikh Hasina, who led the Bangladesh Awami League enactment and ruled for 15 years earlier being ousted successful a 2024 wide uprising.

Security was extensive, with authorities deploying astir 10,000 personnel, including soldiers, to support order. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus’s interim authorities announced 3 days of mourning and declared Wednesday a nationalist vacation to honour the three-time premier minister’s legacy.