Bagbari: Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman visited Zia Bari, the birthplace of his father, after two decades. He reached his ancestral home at Bagbari in Gabtali of the district around 3:30 pm today, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman. Members of the Zia family greeted them with flowers, expressing emotion at being reunited with Tarique Rahman after such a long time. Many took the opportunity to capture the moment with selfies.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman toured the entire home under strict security, with only members of the Zia family present. He entered his father’s old house, looked around, and exchanged greetings with relatives. Tarique Rahman stayed at the home for about 10 minutes, drinking water as he stood on the veranda. Addressing the residents of Bagbari, he remarked on his emotional return after nearly two decades, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to stand before them once more.
Inside the house, several pieces of furniture used by Ziaur Rahman, including a bed, dressing table, and sofa, still remain, reflecting the lifestyle of that era. However, some items, such as a button-fitted mosquito net and glassware from the zamindar era, have been transferred to the Chattogram Museum for preservation. A special room, once used for security purposes, now holds valuable items that stirred emotion in Tarique Rahman.
Rafiqul Islam, close to the Zia family, mentioned that Tarique Rahman had previously planned to visit twice but could not make it. He expressed happiness at Tarique’s visit as Prime Minister. Anwar Hossain, a tea seller at Bagbari Bazar, shared the community’s joy at having their “son” return as Prime Minister. Bablu Talukder, a relative and neighbor of Ziaur Rahman, echoed the sentiment, expressing pride in welcoming Tarique Rahman back to his familial home.
Tarique Rahman, who last visited his ancestral home on December 24, 2006, is now the BNP chairman. Family records reveal that Ziaur Rahman, born on January 19, 1936, was fondly called ‘Komol’ by his grandfather. Ziaur Rahman spent his early years in Bagbari village before relocating to Karachi with his family due to his father’s job. His return to Bagbari as President of Bangladesh was a momentous occasion for villagers and relatives who had not seen him for a long time.
The one-storey pucca house in Bagbari, built by Ziaur Rahman’s ancestors in 1895, is now known as ‘Zia Bari’. Its architecture stands as a testament to that time. After the BNP came to power in 2001, a second floor was added to the house in 2002.