Bangladesh is commemorating the 44th anniversary of the martyrdom of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman today (May 30) with due solemnity and respect.

Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence and a key figure in the country’s political and military history, was assassinated on May 30, 1981, by a group of army officers at the Chattogram Circuit House.

A decorated war hero and recipient of the Bir Uttam award, he commanded the “Z Force” during the 1971 Liberation War and later played a pivotal role in introducing multi-party democracy in Bangladesh.

To mark the day, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which Zia founded, has organised an eight-day programme involving various commemorative events nationwide.

The observances began on May 26 and will continue through June 2. Activities include discussion meetings, poster and supplement publications, the wearing of black badges, hoisting of black flags, floral tributes, special prayers at his grave, and distribution of food and clothing among the underprivileged.

BNP will lower its party flag to half-mast and hoist black flags at its central office in the capital's Nayapaltan and other offices countrywide on Friday morning (at 6:00 AM), and party leaders and activists will wear black badges. 

Besides, floral tributes will be offered at Ziaur Rahman's grave in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 10:30 am.

Later in the day, BNP’s Dhaka north and south city units were scheduled to distribute food and clothing at various locations in the capital, with senior leaders in attendance.

Supporters of Ziaur Rahman credit him with numerous development initiatives during his presidency, including canal-digging projects, the Green Revolution, and efforts to establish a modern, self-reliant economy. He is also remembered for policies on women’s empowerment and child development.

Zia introduced the 19-point programme, aiming at socio-economic and political reforms. These included boosting agricultural output, decentralising administration, achieving food self-sufficiency, controlling population growth, and promoting private sector industrialisation.

He was assassinated in the early hours of May 30, 1981, during an official visit to Chattogram. His body was initially buried in the remote jungles of Raozan before being recovered three days later and reburied at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka.

Supporters maintain that conspiracies, both domestic and foreign, emerged to halt the progress his leadership had set in motion.

SMS/