Dhaka witnessed one of the most extraordinary scenes in its political and social history on Wednesday, as an unprecedented sea of people descended on the capital to attend the janaza of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. From the heart of the city to its farthest entry points, roads, flyovers, pavements, and public spaces were overtaken by mourners, transforming the capital into a vast, unified congregation.
Arrival of the Crowd: The janaza, held at 3:00?pm on Wednesday at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, attracted people from across Dhaka, surrounding districts, and distant parts of the country. By early morning, roads leading to the Parliament complex were dominated by foot traffic. Many abandoned buses, private cars, and rickshaws and walked long distances-from Gabtoli, Shyamoli, Khamarbari, Mirpur, Dhanmondi, and Farmgate-to reach the venue. Some groups arrived by train and launch, with railway stations and launch terminals seeing unprecedented passenger pressure.
The gathering had begun forming the previous night. From Tuesday evening, mourners assembled along Manik Mia Avenue, BNP offices, and key locations across the city, braving the winter cold. Buses from across the country were parked along side roads and alleys, carrying party leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens who had traveled overnight.
Metro Rail and Transportation Surge: Metro rail stations at Secretariat, Shahbagh, Farmgate, and Bijoy Sarani experienced heavy congestion. Every arriving train was packed to capacity, platforms overflowed, and long queues formed at ticket counters and punching gates. MRT Police deployed additional personnel from 9:00?am, with senior officers overseeing operations. DIG Siddiqul Tanzilur Rahman said heightened security would continue throughout the afternoon, noting that "although ticketing and punching took some time, the situation remained normal and under control."
Spread of the Congregation: The crowd extended far beyond the main venue. As the South Plaza filled, mourners stretched north to Jahangir Gate, west along Mirpur Road, east through Farmgate to Karwan Bazar, and south via Agargaon, Bijoy Sarani, and Dhanmondi. Even those who never saw the coffin or the main dais remained standing for hours, guided by loudspeakers and collective movement.
While Parliament and its surrounding areas overflowed, much of Dhaka appeared unusually quiet. Busy roads such as Gulistan, Press Club, Shahbagh, and Motijheel were nearly empty, as if the city's population had relocated en masse to Manik Mia Avenue.
Security Measures: Security forces-including police, army, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)-were deployed at all key intersections. The army enforced road diversions, closing routes near the Planning Commission and Agricultural University, while allowing limited turns at designated points. Law enforcement personnel questioned and searched suspicious individuals along walking routes to the venue.
Personal Accounts of Mourners: Azizul Islam, a Jubo Dal leader from Netrokona, said: "We came to attend the janaza of an uncompromising leader. From Agargaon onward, vehicles were stopped, so we are walking. Hundreds are coming from our district alone."
Anisur Rahman from Dinajpur described his journey: "We reached Dhaka around 10?am by bus. After getting down at Gabtoli, we reached Shyamoli and walked to Agargaon. It was very difficult, but we had to attend the janaza."
The demographic diversity of the crowd was striking. Office workers, students, elderly men with walking sticks, women standing in designated areas, rickshaw-pullers who had parked their vehicles, and families all converged around the Parliament complex. Even pavements and rooftops of nearby buildings were filled.
Haji Abdul Latif, a septuagenarian businessman from Old Dhaka, recalled: "I saw the janaza of President Ziaur Rahman in 1981.
Today, standing here at his wife's janaza, it feels like history has returned. Love cannot be forced-it is a gift from Allah."
The Janaza and Emotional Silence: As the prayer began shortly after 3:00?pm, a profound silence descended. BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan delivered an emotional address, and Tarique Rahman sought prayers for his mother. Hands were raised in unison, eyes filled with tears, and the collective grief resonated across distant streets where many mourners stood far from the main ground.
Dispersal and Aftermath: After the prayer ended, dispersal was slow. Waves of people moved gradually, stopping repeatedly to pray or stand in silence. Large crowds remained across Agargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, and Karwan Bazar well into the evening.
Political analysts said the janaza was more than a religious ritual-it was one of the largest mass congregations in Bangladesh's political history. The scale, social diversity, and emotional intensity of the crowd illustrated how, even outside of power and after years of imprisonment and illness, a leader could retain a deep emotional connection with the masses.
