Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman visited Zia Bari, the birthplace of his father, after two decades. Photo: PMO

BOGURA, April 20, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman visited Zia Bari, the birthplace of his father, after two decades. 

He reached his ancestral home at Bagbari in Gabtali of the district around 3:30 pm today. His wife Dr Zubaida Rahman was with him. At that time, members of the Zia family greeted them with flowers.

They (relatives) became emotional on getting Tarique Rahman close to them after a long time. Many became busy taking selfies. 

Then Tarique Rahman toured the entire home under strict security. At that time, only members of the Zia family were present. 

The Prime Minister entered his father's old house, looked around and exchanged greetings with relatives. Tarique Rahman stayed at the home for about 10 minutes and standing on the veranda, he drank water.

At that time, Tarique Rahman said, "Dear residents of Bagbari, after nearly two decades I have been able to gather with you again in my own area, my own village home. Today, I have been able to come together with you once again in this school and college ground. I thank Almighty Allah for being able to stand before you and speak."

Inside the house, some furniture used by Ziaur Rahman is still preserved. Among those are a bed, a dressing table, a sofa and a limited number of daily furniture, which clearly reflected the lifestyle of that time. 

However, the button-fitted mosquito net attached to the bed where Ziaur Rahman used to sleep and some glassware from the zamindar era have long been handed over to the Chattogram Museum for safety and preservation. 

These historical artifacts have been preserved in the museum to avoid risk of damage.

There is a special room in the house, which was once used for security purposes. Valuable items are kept in that room. Seeing these, Tarique Rahman became somewhat emotional.

Rafiqul Islam, close to Zia family, said that although Tarique Rahman had earlier planned twice to come here, he did not come. "This time we are very happy that he has come as Prime Minister," he added.

Anwar Hossain, a tea seller at Bagbari Bazar, said, "Our son has come to his own home . . . this is great happiness for us. He had come once before, but was not Prime Minister then. Now he is Prime Minister."

Relative and neighbour of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bablu Talukder said, "What could be greater pride? The son of this home came to his own home being the Prime Minister after nearly two decades. We are happy to welcome him."

Earlier, Tarique Rahman, also now BNP chairman, last visited his ancestral home on December 24, 2006. According to family description, Mansur Rahman's second son- Ziaur Rahman- was born on January 19, 1936. 

His grandfather Kamal Uddin Mondal fondly named his grandson Ziaur Rahman Komol. The name 'Komol' was Ziaur Rahman's family nickname, which was mostly used within the family.

In his early childhood and adolescence, Ziaur Rahman grew up in Bagbari village. He was admitted to the local Bagbari High School and studied there up to class three. 

At that time, his father Mansur Rahman was working as a scientific officer. Due to his father's job, he moved to Karachi of then Pakistan with his family. 

As a result, Ziaur Rahman remained separated from the village, relatives and familiar environment of his childhood for a long time. Later, after becoming the President of Bangladesh, when Ziaur Rahman came to Bagbari, villagers and relatives got the opportunity to see him directly after a long time.

Elders said that there was great enthusiasm and emotion in the village at that time.

According to family and locals, the ancestors of Ziaur Rahman built a one-storey pucca house in Bagbari village in 1895. This nearly 130-year-old home is now known as 'Zia Bari'. The architecture of the house still carries the testimony of that time. After BNP came to power in 2001, the second floor was constructed on the house in 2002.