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Published : 01 Jan 2026, 11:29 PM
A heavy, unfamiliar stillness has settled over “Feroza” in Dhaka’s Gulshan, the house where former prime minister Khaleda Zia spent the last 13 years of her life.
Even the home next door, once alive with visitors and activity, now feels drained of sound.
About one and a half months ago, the BNP chairperson was taken from Feroza to Evercare Hospital for treatment. She died there last Tuesday morning.
Security personnel continue to guard the residence. The sentry posts are unchanged, as if the house is still waiting for her return.
On Thursday, guards were seen wearing black badges on their chests, their faces marked by grief.
Khaleda moved to Feroza after being evicted from her Dhaka Cantonment home on Nov 13, 2010, during the Awami League’s tenure.
She lived there until she was sent to prison on Feb 8, 2018.
A member of the Chairperson’s Security Force (CSF) said, “I used to be on duty for Madam. Today, she is no more; the whole house is empty. Stepping inside, one feels a strange sense of void, a stillness that rings in the ears.
“There are no words to describe this pain and sorrow. I pray that Allah keeps her well in the hereafter.”
Another CSF member said, “Madam always looked after us. In the afternoons or at lunchtime, she would ask if we had eaten properly. She was like a mother to us.”
The previous day, the funeral prayer for Khaleda was held amidst a sea of people outside the parliament. She was later laid to rest with state honours at Zia Udyan, beside the grave of her husband Ziaur Rahman.
Though Khaleda was temporarily released by executive order on Mar 25, 2020 during the Covid pandemic, she was restricted from political engagement.
She, however, returned to “Feroza” from prison at that time. Following the change in the political landscape, she remained in that house even after being fully freed from captivity.
HOUSE 196
Tarique Rahman returned to the country last Thursday after nearly 18 years of exile in the UK.
He has taken up residence at House 196, located right next to “Feroza”.
This house was allotted to Khaleda following the assassination of former president Ziaur Rahman. A few months ago, the interim administration handed over the title deeds of this property to the BNP chairperson.
The security personnel stationed outside the house also appeared grief-stricken. As the area falls within the Gulshan Avenue Diplomatic Zone, there were no large crowds of party activists.
On Wednesday morning, before the funeral prayers, Khaleda’s mortal remains were brought to House 196 from Evercare Hospital.
Hasanuzzaman, a resident of Gulshan, said, “I live nearby. I walked over to the front of this house this afternoon. You can see the heavy security.
“Madam is gone; Tarique Rahman is now our source of hope. That is why I have come here to share in the grief.”
‘TARIQUE IN PRAYER’
Overwhelmed with grief over his mother’s passing, Tarique spent Thursday immersed in prayers and Quran recitations.
Atiqur Rahman Rumon, a BNP media cell member, told bdnews24.com: “Many relatives came to the house to offer condolences. During those moments, the acting chairman became emotional as he shared her memories within the family circle.
“Around 4:30pm he left the house for the chairperson’s office in Gulshan.”
MOURNING CHAIRPERSON’S OFFICE
A black flag flies at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, while the party and national flags are at half-mast. Foreign ambassadors and local politicians have been arriving to sign the book of condolence.
Among those who visited on Thursday were Social Welfare Advisor Sharmeen S Murshid, US Chargé d’Affaires Tracy Ann Jacobson, Iranian Ambassador Mansour Chavoshi, Peer of Sarsina Darbar Sharif Maulana Mufti Shah Abu Naser Neshar Uddin Ahmed, and Secretary General of the Jatiya Party Shamim Haider Patwary.
Outside the office, crowds of activists and media personnel gathered on both sides of the road. Only those signing the condolence book were permitted entry.
Altaf Hossain, a Jubo Dal activist from Banani, said: “For so long, I drew strength just by seeing her from a distance; I found hope amidst hundreds of instances of persecution. I don’t know how we will overcome this grief.”
Krishak Dal VP Ibrahim said, “It is hard to accept Madam’s departure. However, one thing is certain: no one in the history of Bangladeshi politics will ever break the record of her popularity.”
“She may have departed, but she will remain immortal within our hearts, always, at every moment.”
After the death of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman in a failed military coup in 1981, his wife Khaleda -- then a mere housewife -- took the helm of the party. She was elected chairperson in August 1984 and held the position until her death.
In 1983, under her leadership, the BNP formed a seven-party alliance and launched a movement against the Ershad regime. During that struggle, Khaleda never compromised with the Ershad government.
While other major political parties reached settlements, the BNP under Khaleda’s leadership refused to do so. This earned her the title “uncompromising leader” among her followers.
