Zia martyrdom anniv observed nationwide

The 45th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, proclaimer of the great independence, one of the sector commanders of the War of Liberation, BNP founder and advocate of multi-party democracy, was observed across the country Saturday with due respect and solemnity.

On May 30, 1981, he was brutally killed at the Chattogram Circuit House by a group of disgruntled army officers as part of a domestic and foreign conspiracy, reports state news agency BSS.

According to the report, marking the day,  the BNP convened an eight-day special programme from May 25 to June 1.

Party flags were flown at half-mast and black flags were hoisted at the party's Nayapaltan central office and party offices across the country at 6am today. BNP leaders and activists wore black badges.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman paid tributes to Ziaur Rahman by placing a floral wreath on his grave in the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area of the capital in the morning.

President Ziaur Rahman visits a rural countryside. Photo: BNP Media Cell 

BNP Secretary General and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, party standing committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Social Welfare Minister Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, PM’s Political Adviser and the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, party Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon and State Ministers Habibur Rashid and Md Aminul Haque were also present, among others.

President Zia takes rest for a while after a hard labour. Photo; Collected

Tarique Rahman, along with party leaders, stood in solemn silence for some time and paid profound respect to the BNP founder. Later, the premier joined a doa mahfil at the graveyard.

BNP’s Dhaka North and South city units, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Muktijoddha Dal, Sramik Dal, Krishak Dal, Mahila Dal, Ulama Dal, Chhatra Dal and other social and cultural organisations also placed wreaths at the grave of Ziaur Rahman.

From Zia Udyan, the Prime Minister went to the Rajdhani High School premises on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital at around 11:30am and distributed clothes and food items among the poor and destitute there.

The event was organised as part of a daylong programme for the distribution of clothes, daily essentials and free medical services marking the martyrdom anniversary of Ziaur Rahman.

President Ziaur Rahman and his wife Khaleda Zia. Photo: BNP Media Cell 

The Prime Minister also participated in similar events at various locations, including in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office in the capital today. Cabinet members, senior party leaders, lawmakers, and leaders and activists also joined the events.

Marking the day, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Cholochitra Parishad organised a clothes distribution ceremony on the premises of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC). BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan addressed the programme as the chief guest.

President Ziaur Rahman and the then first lady Khaleda Zia. Photo: BNP Media Cell 

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also joined another food distribution programme in front of the High Court.

The party's various units, associate and affiliated organisations, professional bodies and cultural organisations organised discussions, milad and doa mahfils, photo exhibitions and other programmes highlighting the life and works of Ziaur Rahman across the country.

Apart from BNP and its associate bodies, people from various walks of life also observed the day with due respect. Special supplements were published in national newspapers on the occasion.

President Ziaur Rahman addresses a rally. Photo: Collected

On May 31, BNP will hold a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital's Ramna area at 2:00pm.

Ziaur Rahman was one of the sector commanders of the Liberation War and commander of Z Force.

He founded BNP in 1978. Ziaur Rahman introduced multi-party democracy in the country. He is also credited as the visionary architect and founder of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Ziaur Rahman established a timeless political philosophy based on Bangladeshi nationalism. On May 30, 1981, he was brutally killed.

A rare moment of President Ziaur Rahman smiling while posing for a photo. Photo: Zia Archive 

The BNP founded by him secured an overwhelming majority in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election held on February 12, 2026 and later formed the government.

With the overwhelming trust and support of the people, BNP has so far been entrusted with running the state five times, including the current term.