“We wish to see everyone as friends. But if anyone tries to become our master in the guise of a friend, we will never accept it. We will not let it be accepted. The people of Bangladesh will never acknowledge the lordship of anyone.”

The recently deceased BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was uncompromising on the question of the interests of the country and its people.

Throughout her long political career, most of her speeches reflect this steel-like determination for the restoration of democracy, the protection of independence and sovereignty, and the fight against autocracy and fascism.

Some of Begum Khaleda Zia's notable statements are highlighted for the readers:

New Dreams Amidst the Ruins of Democracy

Following the bloody July mass uprising, she delivered her first virtual speech from the hospital despite her critical illness, congratulating the heroes of the movement. She said, “Through long struggle and movement, we have been liberated from the hands of an illegal, fascist government. I want to sincerely thank our heroic children who made the impossible possible through a life-and-death struggle. I pay my respects to the hundreds of martyrs. This victory has brought new possibilities for us... Out of these ruins, we must build a prosperous Bangladesh.”

Love, Not Vengeance

After the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, 2024, Khaleda Zia was freed from long-term captivity. On August 7, she delivered a brief virtual speech at a rally in front of the BNP office in Nayapaltan. During this time, she called for building a new Bangladesh by forgetting the politics of vengeance and revenge. She said, “We must move forward through love and peace, not destruction or vengeance.”

'The Whole of Bangladesh is Now My Family': Tarique Rahman

I Have No Address Abroad

During the tenure of the military-backed 'One-Eleven' caretaker government and the subsequent fascist government led by the Awami League, various pressures were exerted on Khaleda Zia to leave the country. Ignoring continuous pressure, the national leader said in an emotional speech, “I have no address outside this country. This land, its soil, and its people are my everything. Therefore, I will not go abroad under any circumstances.”

Khaleda Zia Has Done No Wrong

On February 7, 2018—just one day before the verdict in the Zia Orphanage Trust case dictated by the fallen fascist government—Khaleda Zia denied all allegations of corruption at a press conference. She said, “Your Khaleda Zia has done no wrong. If justice is served, I will be acquitted.” Addressing her party members, she said, “If a mockery is made in the name of justice, it will be a scandalous chapter in history.”

Belittling No One

In June 2013, as the Leader of the Opposition in the Ninth National Parliament, she delivered a lengthy speech. There, too, she spoke of avoiding political vengeance and giving proper respect to national leaders. Criticizing various policies of the then-government, she said, “We do not want to belittle anyone. We want to give everyone their due respect. We want to leave the assessment of everyone’s successes and failures to history.”

The Country Is No One’s Paternal Property

As part of the continuous suppression of opposition politicians and police obstruction of political rallies, Khaleda Zia was besieged in Gulshan with sand trucks blocking her way. While under siege, she questioned the then-government: “Does the country belong to you alone? Has it become the paternal property of the Awami League? You want to stop our programs using goons and the police. If you have courage, show it by holding a counter-program. You don't have courage; not even ten people show up. Otherwise, the situation wouldn't be so pathetic that 154 seats go uncontested.”

Even amidst the extreme repressive policies of the fascist government, Khaleda Zia continued to speak of the transition to democracy. On November 12, 2017, at a massive rally, she called for national unity while raising the demand for a "Supporting Government" (Shohayok Sorkar). Additionally, in 1991, as the first female Prime Minister, she delivered a speech in Bengali at the UN General Assembly, highlighting Bangladesh's thoughts on democracy and development to the international community. Earlier, in the 1980s, her uncompromising political stance against the Ershad regime established her as a symbol of democracy.