H. M. Nazmul Alam

In the annals of Bangladesh’s political history, few moments have carried such raw emotion, such profound symbolism, as the reunion of Begum Khaleda Zia and her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, on a cold London afternoon. After seven years of forced separation, dictated by political vendettas and relentless oppression, the two embraced at Heathrow International Airport—a mother and son torn apart by circumstances beyond their control. The image of Tarique Rahman, holding his frail yet resolute mother in his arms, is not just a snapshot of familial love but a testament to resilience, sacrifice, and an unyielding spirit.

The 79-year-old three-time former Prime Minister of Bangladesh started her journey from Dhaka on January 7, aboard a special air ambulance arranged by the Amir of Qatar. It was not merely a flight for advanced medical treatment at The London Clinic but a symbolic relief from years of systemic persecution. The air ambulance, delayed by nearly two hours due to the overwhelming presence of supporters lining the streets, carried not just Khaleda Zia but the collective hopes and prayers of millions who have stood by her through thick and thin.

As the plane touched down at Heathrow at 2:55 PM Bangladesh time, Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, waited with open arms. The acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK, Mohammad Hazrat Ali Khan, greeted Khaleda Zia with flowers—a small but significant gesture acknowledging her stature and struggle.

Begum Khaleda Zia's suffering over the past decade is a grim chapter in Bangladesh’s political history. Diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in 2021, along with diabetes, arthritis, and severe complications in her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyes, her health deteriorated rapidly. Despite repeated pleas from her medical team for advanced treatment abroad, the Awami League government, under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stubbornly refused her permission to leave Bangladesh.

Instead of compassion, Khaleda Zia faced systemic cruelty. She was kept under virtual house arrest, deprived of proper medical care, and subjected to inhumane conditions. Her party workers and supporters were hunted, silenced, and subjected to unspeakable torture. Yet, Khaleda Zia endured it all. She neither broke nor bent under pressure.

In August 2024, after the fall of the Awami League government, President Mohammed Shahabuddin issued an executive order for her unconditional release. The news brought a glimmer of hope—not just for her family but for an entire nation yearning for justice.

The reunion at Heathrow Airport was more than just a family moment; it was a moment etched into history. Since 2008, Tarique Rahman had been living in exile in London, carrying the weight of his mother’s suffering and his party’s fractured spirit. The embrace between mother and son was not just about personal relief—it symbolized a political rebirth, a resurgence of hope.

As they left the airport, Tarique himself drove his mother to The London Clinic, where Khaleda Zia is now under the care of some of the world’s finest medical professionals. The ambulance was not just a vehicle carrying a patient; it was a chariot of defiance, resilience, and hope.

Throughout her political life, Khaleda Zia has faced unimaginable odds. From being a widow after the tragic assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, to being thrust into the dark world of politics during a tumultuous time, she emerged not just as a leader but as a symbol of strength. Her tenure as Prime Minister saw Bangladesh rise in stature—there was no looting, no selling out of national interests, no erosion of democratic values.

However, under Sheikh Hasina's regime, Khaleda Zia became a primary target. She was ousted from her home, imprisoned on dubious charges, and deliberately denied healthcare. The regime went to extraordinary lengths to break her spirit, but they failed. Khaleda Zia’s strength lies not just in her political acumen but in her quiet dignity and unshakeable faith.

Khaleda Zia’s journey is not merely a story of personal suffering—it is a narrative of Bangladesh’s democratic struggle. Her political enemies attempted to erase her from public memory, but her name became synonymous with resistance. When her convoy was stopped with sand trucks in 2014, she did not falter. When her party was dismantled, and her supporters silenced, she stood firm.

In contrast to her oppressors, Khaleda Zia remains a woman of grace and integrity. Never has she resorted to crude language or personal attacks. In her moments of weakness and frailty, she has shown more strength than many who wield power with arrogance.

As Khaleda Zia receives treatment at The London Clinic, a nation watches from afar. For millions, she is not just a political figure—she is a mother figure, a symbol of endurance. Her reunion with Tarique Rahman is not just a personal triumph but a beacon of hope for those who believe in justice, democracy, and human dignity.

Her struggle is not over. The health complications she faces are severe, and the road to recovery will be long and arduous. However, if there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s that Khaleda Zia does not give up.

The image of Tarique Rahman holding his mother at Heathrow Airport is more than just a photograph—it’s a symbol of victory against oppression, resilience against tyranny, and hope amidst despair. Sheikh Hasina and her regime tried everything in their power to silence and destroy Khaleda Zia, but they failed miserably.

Time will say the future of Khaleda Zia and the BNP, but one thing is clear—Bangladesh has not forgotten her. History will remember her not as a victim but as a warrior, not as a frail patient but as a political giant who stood tall in the face of relentless adversity.

In a world where politics often descends into cruelty, Khaleda Zia’s story is a reminder of the strength of the human spirit. As she begins her treatment in London, the people of Bangladesh hold their breath, pray for her recovery, and wait for the day when the iron lady of Bangladesh will return to her beloved homeland—victorious, vindicated, and unbowed.

For now, the image of her emotional reunion with Tarique Rahman remains etched in our hearts—a timeless testament to a mother’s love, a son’s devotion, and the unyielding spirit of a leader who refused to break, even when the world conspired to shatter her.

The writer is an, Academic, Journalist, and Political Analyst.