ET Desk: On the occasion of the 82nd birth anniversary of former three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh Rural Journalists Union (BRJU) President Mohammad Mizanur Rahman and Secretary General Sheikh Mohammad Tajul Islam have issued a joint statement, praying for the salvation of her departed soul.

In the statement, the BRJU leaders said Begum Khaleda Zia, regarded by her supporters as the “Mother of Democracy” and an uncompromising leader, played an important role in inspiring the establishment of the Bangladesh Rural Journalists Union.
They recalled that at an event at the National Press Club in 2000, Begum Khaleda Zia asked journalist leader Shaukat Mahmood, “I have seen the federal journalists, the Press Club journalists and the union journalists—but where are the journalists from the rural areas?”
Following that question and her encouragement, the journey of the Bangladesh Rural Journalists Union began, the statement said.
The BRJU leaders said that over the years, various organisations have been formed under different names. However, since its establishment, the Bangladesh Rural Journalists Union has remained committed to the ideals of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the principles of a free media.
The BRJU president and secretary general said Begum Khaleda Zia was one of the prominent leaders in the struggle for democracy, freedom of the press and people’s rights. Her contribution will remain an important part of Bangladesh’s political history, they said.
On her 82nd birth anniversary, the BRJU leaders prayed for the salvation of her departed soul and expressed their deep sympathy to her bereaved family members, political colleagues and well-wishers.