Three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. File photo

JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - Jahangirnagar University (JU) unit of the Nationalist Teachers, Officers and Employees Forum today observed a black badge-wearing programme in deep mourning over the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

As part of the mourning programme, around one hundred teachers, officers and employees gathered at about 11:30 am on the university’s Shaheed Minar premises, wearing black badges to pay tribute to the late leader.

Addressing the programme, JU Nationalist Teachers’ Forum (NTF) President Professor Md ShamsulAlam said Begum Khaleda Zia was a soft-spoken, tolerant and humane leader who devoted her entire life to the struggle for democracy.

Despite enduring oppression and injustice for over 16 years, she never harboured resentment towards anyone, he said, adding that although she was forced out of her home and imprisoned several times, she never thought of leaving the country due to her deep love for the soil of Bangladesh.

Expressing solidarity with the black badge–wearing programme, JU Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr M Mahfuzur Rahman said the university family was deeply saddened by the demise of the former Prime Minister.

“As a three-time Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia made significant contributions to the country and to the democratic process,” he said, adding that the university administration suspended all classes and examinations following the tragic news and observed mourning by wearing black badges.

Speakers at the programme said Begum Khaleda Zia was not only a leader of a single political party but she had become a guardian of the entire nation through her role in safeguarding democracy.

The programme was moderated by JU Nationalist Teachers’ Forum General Secretary Prof Md Jamal Uddin, while Treasurer Professor Dr M AbdurRab, Proctor Professor Dr AKM Rashidul Alam, and Convener of the Nationalist Teachers, Officers and Employees Forum Prof Mafruhi Sattar were present, among others.

Earlier, Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at 6:00 am today while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital.