Since 2018, former prime minister Khaleda Zia has celebrated her birthdays in prison, hospitals, or at home being under conditional release.
After six years, the three-time prime minister, who was officially born on August 15, 1946, celebrated her birthday in a freer environment as she was released on an order of the President soon after the fall of Sheikh Hasina on August 5.
The BNP chairperson has been undergoing treatment under close supervision of the doctors at Evercare Hospital in the capital for several years since her conditional release in 2020. She was diagnosed with Covid-19 twice and has also undergone surgeries.
Currently, her physical condition has slightly improved.
Those involved in her treatment have been congratulating her with greetings and salutations since the first hour of her birthday yesterday. Many party leaders and activists also joined in the greetings.
In response to a question, Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP’s media cell, said: "Madam (Khaleda) is under close observation by the doctors. The doctors feel that she is slightly better physically. The secretary general (Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir) may visit Madam sometime today (yesterday)."
Hospital sources said there is nothing particularly new about Khaleda Zia’s birthday celebration this year.
Since 2016, there has been no cake-cutting celebration organized by party leaders and activists. The day after her birthday (August 16), party members offer prayers and recite from religious texts, both at the central office in Naya Paltan and the chairperson’s office in Banani.
On her birthday, Khaleda Zia usually exchanges greetings with family members.
This year was no exception. Almost all her family members are currently abroad.
One of her office staff said: "Those who were present on time gave their salutations and greetings. Madam responded happily with a smile."
Political message of the birthday
Khaleda Zia’s birthday has been a topic of much political discussion.
The Awami League, recently out of power, has consistently accused her of cutting cakes to celebrate her birthday on the same day as the anniversary of the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In fact, in 2016, a case was filed in the Dhaka Metropolitan Court regarding her birthday.
Khaleda Zia did not cut a cake on August 15, 2015. At a press conference held at the chairperson’s office in Gulshan in April of that year, she said: "National leaders must be kept above controversy. The debate over national leaders must end."
Khaleda Zia mentioned the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while talking about national leaders.
Later, at the national council held on March 19, 2016, she also urged all parties to honor national leaders.
Khaleda Zia’s position became even clearer in her testimony in court on November 4, 2017.
She said: "Honorable Court, you will surely agree with me that the beauty of a democratic society lies in unity and coordination amidst diverse opinions, not in the suppression or repression of differing views. If respect for differing opinions and coexistence is not encouraged, democracy cannot be sustained. We know this, understand it, and accept it. You know how violent the expression of differing opinions and demands among political rivals has become in this country time and again."
The controversy over her birthday dates back to the early 1990s. Various media reports have disseminated conflicting information about her birthdate and even her birth year.
However, no formal initiative has been seen from the BNP to resolve this controversy.
On the party's website, Khaleda Zia’s year of birth is listed as 1946.
In the book "Nondito Netri: Khaleda Zia," her former deputy press secretary Syed Abdal Ahmed mentions that she was born on August 15, 1945, in Noyabosti area of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, in undivided India.
The preface of the book was written by the late Professor Emajuddin Ahmed.
Regarding the day, Abdal Ahmed wrote: "It was a serene autumn morning. The whole family was overjoyed at the arrival of the new baby girl."
