They were walking to show love for leader, honour her contributions to country, and bear witness to history

The clock showed 12:40pm. As I began walking from Karwan Bazar toward Manik Mia Avenue, I was joined by thousands of people. Everyone had the same destination—Manik Mia Avenue, the site of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayer. From different parts of the capital, thousands were making their way on foot to attend the funeral. People coming from outside Dhaka also joined the procession. Regardless of political affiliation or social status, everyone was rushing to bid farewell to the former prime minister.

As we moved along Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, the crowd grew denser. People lined both sides of the main road, crowded the foot overpasses, and filled the rooftops of nearby buildings—the city of Dhaka seemed transformed into a city of mourning. No one was shouting slogans or giving instructions, yet everyone was moving in the same direction. A silent order prevailed, born solely out of grief.

Not all of the thousands rushing toward the funeral site were BNP leaders or activists. Among them were ordinary professionals as well. Some had walked five kilometers, others seven. While walking, I spoke with private-sector employee Amirul Islam, who had started from the Shahbagh area. Amirul said, “I am not involved in politics. But a leader has endured so much suffering for the people of this country. Walking a few kilometers to attend her funeral—what’s the hardship in that?”

As I moved closer to Manik Mia Avenue, the crowd grew denser. By the time I reached Farmgate intersection, we had to slow down. There were people everywhere—some in groups, some alone. Many wore caps, and some carried the flag of Bangladesh. Everyone’s goal was to keep moving forward.

Eighth-grade student Adnan had come with his elder brother to attend the funeral. Despite repeatedly trying to push through the crowd, they were unable to move forward. Adnan told Prothom Alo, “I really wanted to stand at the very front during the funeral prayer, but I don’t think I’ll be able to get there.” He was not alone—almost everyone was trying to make their way toward Manik Mia Avenue, but most were unsuccessful.

At that time, Riazul Islam, a BNP activist from Nilphamari, was also trying to move forward. He too failed and lost sight of his companion in the crowd. Even after repeatedly calling on his phone, he could not find him. Riazul told Prothom Alo, “I left last night and arrived in Dhaka around 11am. I’m walking from Karwan Bazar to bid farewell to the national leader for the last time.”

At one point, unable to move forward, people began sitting in lines along both sides of the main road. Some spread mats they had brought with them, while others used newspaper pages to sit on the road. As the time for the Zuhr prayer arrived, many performed their prayers right there on the street.

Eventually, the crowd spilled over onto the area where the elevated expressway descends at Farmgate. With no space left on the road, a large number of people climbed onto the elevated expressway. At that time, I spoke with Ferdous Navid, a student of North South University. He told Prothom Alo, “In the morning, I went to Gulshan to see Khaleda Madam once. From there, I started walking toward Manik Mia Avenue, but I got stuck at the section where the expressway descends.”

From a distance, Khaleda Zia’s voice could be heard over the loudspeakers: “I have no address outside the country; this is my address. This country, its land, and its people are everything to me. Therefore, I will not go abroad.”

Khaleda Zia was a housewife. The founder of BNP and then-President Ziaur Rahman was killed on 30 May 1981, at the hands of some rogue members of the military. In the resulting power struggle, the BNP was left in disarray. In this situation, on 3 January 1982, Khaleda Zia joined the BNP. She first became the party’s Senior Vice-Chairperson, then Acting Chairperson, and eventually Chairperson. At that time, she was under forty years old.

After joining politics in 1982, Khaleda Zia took part in the anti-autocratic movement against Ershad in 1983. Under her leadership, a seven-party alliance was formed. During the nine-year-long movement against dictatorship, she became known as the “indomitable leader.” After the 1990 mass movement, the BNP came to power in the 1991 national parliamentary elections with unprecedented public support. Khaleda Zia became the first female Prime Minister in the history of Bangladesh and later served two more terms as Prime Minister.

Khaleda Zia had a political career spanning nearly 43 years. From being a housewife, she gradually emerged as a determined and courageous leader, keeping the BNP united through times of crisis and adversity.

Looking around repeatedly, it became clear that this massive gathering was not just for a party leader—it was also a display of love and respect from people of all classes and professions for a former national leader.