Dhaka: The first session of the 13th Parliament on Thursday unanimously adopted a condolence motion expressing profound grief over the death of three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, 31 former lawmakers, and other eminent personalities. The motion was presented by the newly elected Speaker, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.
According to United News of Bangladesh, among the noted personalities were former President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and figures like former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The motion also included several ex-parliamentarians such as BNP's Farhad Ahmed Chowdhury and Nadim Mostafa, and Workers Party's Shahidullah Shahid.
The Parliament extended its condolences to those who sacrificed their lives in the 17-year struggle for voting rights, democracy, and human rights from 2007 to 2024. It paid homage to BNP lawmaker M Ilias Ali and leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, who were victims of enforced disappearances and killings.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed described 2024 as a milestone in the struggle to establish democracy in Bangladesh. The Parliament also commemorated the victims of the July Uprising, the Uttara Milestone school air crash, the 2009 Pilkhana carnage, and the 2013 Shapla Chattor Hefazat rally.
Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni requested the inclusion of former Jamaat MPs Motiur Rahman Nizami, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, and Delwar Hossain Sayeedi in the motion. Opposition Leader Dr. Md Shafiqur Rahman and Deputy Opposition Leader Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher expressed concerns about omitted names, advocating for a more inclusive motion.
The motion concluded with a one-minute silence and a munajat led by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain. Discussions highlighted Khaleda Zia's contributions to Bangladesh and democracy, with speakers like BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed praising her unwavering dedication to democratic principles.
The motion and discussions underscored the importance of recognizing sacrifices made for democracy and justice in Bangladesh, reflecting on the legacy of those who shaped the nation's political landscape.