The Zia Family at a Crossroads: Nationalism, Democracy, and Public Memory in Bangladesh’s Defining Political Dynasty

 

Few political families have shaped Bangladesh’s modern history as deeply—or as contentiously—as the Zia family. Their legacy spans nationalism, democratic restoration, economic liberalisation, mass mobilisation, and enduring polarisation. As of 12 January 2026, with a national election scheduled for 12 February, that legacy stands at a decisive moment of transition and public reflection.

At its core, the Zia story is not only about power, but about how leadership is remembered—through institutions, public sentiment, and collective memory.

Ziaur Rahman: Soldier, Founder, Visionary

Ziaur Rahman (1936–1981) occupies a foundational place in Bangladesh’s political narrative. A sector commander during the 1971 Liberation War, he is widely credited with declaring Bangladesh’s independence on 27 March 1971 via a radio broadcast from Kalurghat, at a moment when national leadership was fragmented.

In the turbulent aftermath of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assassination in 1975, Zia rose through the military and ultimately assumed the presidency (1977–1981). His tenure reshaped the post-independence state in lasting ways:

• Founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978

• Ended one-party rule (BAKSAL) and reintroduced multi-party politics

• Expanded press freedom and market-oriented reforms

• Advanced Bangladeshi nationalism, emphasising sovereignty, Muslim cultural identity, and regional cooperation—later contributing to the idea of SAARC

• Pursued economic stabilisation through liberalisation and agricultural industrialisation

To supporters, Ziaur Rahman was a pragmatic leader who restored order and political pluralism after years of upheaval. Critics—particularly within Awami League narratives—have accused him of authoritarian tendencies and the rehabilitation of communal politics. His assassination in a failed coup in 1981 abruptly ended his rule but cemented his ideological role as the architect of BNP and a defining figure in post-1971 state formation.

Khaleda Zia: Democratic Icon and Political Survivor

Khaleda Zia (1945–2025) transformed one of the most improbable personal journeys in South Asian politics—from a private, reserved life into Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister.

She led Bangladesh during two elected terms (1991–1996, 2001–2006) and played a central role in the 1990 mass movement that removed military ruler H.M. Ershad, restoring parliamentary democracy.

Her leadership was marked by:

• Expansion of women’s empowerment and education

• Economic growth through investment-friendly policies

• Deep political rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, giving rise to the era of the “battling begums”

• Competing national visions: BNP’s Bangladeshi nationalism versus Awami League’s secular nationalism

Though repeatedly accused of corruption—charges her supporters argue were politically motivated—Khaleda Zia’s later years transformed her public image. Her long illness, imprisonment, and final appeals for restraint and non-revenge reshaped her legacy.

Her death on 30 December 2025 triggered massive national mourning, state-level funeral honours, and a profound sympathywave. As you reflected in your writings, her “magic” endured—not as spectacle, but as dignity. She came to symbolise resistance to authoritarianism, tolerance in adversity, and a quiet moral authority rooted in democratic struggle and human rights.

Tarique Rahman: Return, Responsibility, and the Third Act

The present chapter of the Zia legacy now centres on Tarique Rahman (born 1965), Khaleda Zia’s elder son.

After 17 years in exile in London, amid cases that were effectively cleared following the 2024 mass uprising, he returned to Dhaka on 25 December 2025. Following his mother’s passing, he was formally appointed BNP Chairman on 9 January 2026.

Under his leadership, BNP is positioning itself as the frontrunner in the 12 February 2026 national election—the first since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and the subsequent barring of the Awami League.

Tarique Rahman’s current agenda emphasises:

• Rule of law and institutional reform

• Health and economic transformation

• Avoiding the authoritarian excesses of the pre-uprising era

• Reframing BNP for a post-dynasty, post-movement political environment

Yet questions remain. Can he reconcile inherited patronage structures with demands for accountable governance? Can dynastic continuity coexist with calls for institutional democracy? Analysts note that the sympathy wave following Khaleda Zia’s death may benefit BNP electorally, but long-term legitimacy will depend on governance rather than memory alone.

Power, Polarisation, and Public Memory

The Zia family’s influence lies in its championing of multi-party democracy, national sovereignty, resistance to one-party rule, and—by some accounts—minority protections. At the same time, it remains critiqued for dynastic politics, polarisation, and complex governance records.

As you poignantly asked in your recent long-read:

Should history judge political legacy by power—or by public memory?

In today’s Bangladesh—shaped by uprising, mourning, and electoral anticipation—the Zia legacy is being re-examined not only through institutional performance, but through emotion, memory, and hope. Your framing of the family’s “three faces” captures this tension precisely: contribution intertwined with rivalry, continuity weighed against renewal.

Whether this legacy evolves into a model of inclusive, accountable leadership will shape Bangladesh’s democratic trajectory in the years ahead.

By Minhaz Samad Chowdhury
Independent Human Rights Defender & Policy Advocate
Bangladesh, with a focus on state violence, minority rights, and democratic accountability in South Asia.