BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia went to that beloved premises after an era, as if to find herself, where she had spent a large part of her memory and life. The former Prime Minister visited Senakunj as an invited guest on the occasion of Armed Forces Day on Thursday (November 21). His younger daughter-in-law Sharmila Rahman was with him.
At around 3:30 pm left from Basa Firoza in Gulshan and reached Senakunj around 4:00 pm. Leave around 6 pm. Leaders invited to the day along with Begum Zia told the Bangla Tribune that the former prime minister was honored by the interim government officials on Armed Forces Day. Chief Advisor Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus came directly to the event and exchanged words with Begum Zia.
While talking to Bengali Tribune, BNP leaders expressed their excitement. They are also happy to join the Armed Forces Day celebrations after many years. Begum Zia was the 'unofficial main focal point' throughout the event. Dr. Yunus showed great respect.
He mentioned in his speech, 'Begum Khaleda Zia, wife of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, has come here. He did not get a chance to come for a while. We are proud to offer this opportunity.'
Several members of the BNP Standing Committee said to the Bangla Tribune, “Dr. with Madam.” Yunus spoke sincerely. There was no political talk between the two people. Dr. Yunus didn't, neither did Begum Jia. Madam was in a different mood today, she herself is the wife of an army officer.
A high-ranking official said, “I remember one of the words of the chief adviser, he said to Begum Zia – your presence is very good.”
Another member said, 'It's like he's gone to a memory lane of most of his life. I saw him like this after a long time. Laughing, talking.'
Begum Zia was evicted from her house on Moinul Hossain Road in Cantonment on November 13, 2010 by the court's verdict. Buildings have been constructed on that plot. Khaleda Zia last visited Armed Forces Day in 2012.
When asked, standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku told Bangla Tribune, 'It proves that the country was under a dictatorship, fascist regime, no one can live without them, after their fall, we were able to go to the ceremony of the proud army. Especially this day is a special day of liberation war and a big achievement for us who are freedom fighters.'
Some parties could not go to this event, Iqbal Hasan said in this context, 'The presence of the leaders of political parties was seen this time, which was not seen in the past.'
According to a BNP source, leaders of some parties including Jatiya Party, CPB were not seen in the event.
Shayrul Kabir Khan, a member of BNP's media cell, was invited to Senakunj along with Begum Zia. He was close to Khaleda Zia all the time. When asked how the BNP chief was like, Shayrul Kabir Khan said that where Begum Zia took her seat, those who were prominent around her, they came to her and exchanged greetings.
Shayrul Kabir Khan said, 'Madam was very lively all the time. The dignitaries exchanged greetings. Begum Zia was a political mediator. After that, at one point, the chairperson of BNP exchanged greetings even though he appeared in the public gathering sitting in a wheel chair.
Several BNP leaders who participated in the Armed Forces Day program said that after Khaleda Zia reached the Sena Kunj, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir received her. At this time, Mirza Fakhrul cried.
Begum Zia was formally welcomed by Chief of Army Staff General Waqar-uz-Zaman, Chief of Navy Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan and Chief of Air Force Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan. The founder of the public forum. Kamal Hossain also exchanged skills with Khaleda Zia. Advisors Mahfuz Alam, Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and many others spoke to the former Prime Minister.
Bobby Hajjaz was invited to the event. At around 8:30 on Thursday night, the NDM chairman told this reporter, 'I have exchanged skills with Begum Zia. He wants to know 'how are you.' He was talking very little, exchanging pleasantries. He was smiling beautifully.
Armed Forces Day was celebrated as usual. Leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement, officials of the interim government participated in the event. Young officers exchange skills with young political leaders, some take pictures.
In this context Jonaid Saki, the chief coordinator of mass solidarity movement, said, 'I was invited to the Armed Forces Day. There was an exchange of views with politicians, intellectuals, diplomats, senior officers, retired judges, army officers and other dignitaries of various levels. Talked with Begum Khaleda Zia too.'
Hasnat Abdullah's conversation with Mamunul Haque with a forehead scar
The leaders of the political parties also engaged in discussions on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day. At one point of the program in the afternoon, the convenor of the anti-discrimination student movement, Hasnat Abdullah, and the general secretary of the Khilafat Majlis, Maulana Mamunul Haque, had a pleasant conversation.
At this time, the Amir of the Jamaat Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Sarjis Alam, Labor Party Chairman Mustafizur Rahman were Iran.
The topic of Hasnat's forehead in Khoshgalpa also comes up in the conversation. When contacted about this after the event, Maulana Mamunul Haque told Bangla Tribune, 'Hasnat Abdullah was telling a story. A student or someone hugged him and cried. The man was telling Hasnat, 'Your father has not been able to attend waj mahfil in our area for many years.'
“Hasnat Abdullah was surprised, 'Hey, my father doesn't pray, he's not a religious person.' Then the person said, “Are you not the son of Mamunul Haque Sahib?” Hasnat said, “No, why am I going to be his son?”
Mamunul Haque added in this context, “Hasnat said, many people think that there is a kinship relationship between us.”
'He was saying the reason was that I have a scar on my forehead. He also has such a scar on his forehead. Hasnat pointed to that scar and said, I replied, 'Even if there is no blood relation, there is soul kinship.'
Mamunul Haque had a 'light exchange' with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
AB Party's Mojibur Rahman Manju, Public Rights Council President Nurul Haque and many others participated in the event.
Incidentally, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia made her first public appearance on Thursday (November 21) after going to jail on February 8, 2018 in an ACC case. Earlier in 2012, he participated in Armed Forces Day. Although former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present at that event, there was no conversation between the two of them.
On the presence of Khaleda Zia, the secretary general of her party, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, complained that she had been kept away from the country's most patriotic force, the army, for 12 years.
