By Syed Altefat Hossain 

DHAKA, Dec 21, 2024 (BSS) - Five-year-old Md Rabbi, suffering from Chikungunya, clings to hope believing that his father Md Hridoy will soon return with medicines and yogurt for him-as he always did when his son was unwell.

But this naive hope hides a tragic reality that his father will never return home.

Hridoy, a 27-year-old shutter mechanic and the sole breadwinner for his family, was fatally shot on July 19 in front of Kadamtali Police Station in the Rayerbag area of Jatrabari here during the anti-discrimination student movement that successfully ousted autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina, ending the nearly 16-year fascist regime on August 5. 

A "police bullet" pierced his back, passing through his chest along with liver, ending his life while he stood for what he believed in. He embraced martyrdom when the then government launched a massive crackdown on peaceful demonstration of the anti-discrimination student movement across the country by suspending internet service.

Rabbi's faith in his father, even in the midst of illness, remains unshaken. As his frail body was afflicted with fever, lying on his bed he often whispers, "Abbu, Tumi Kothay? Amake Rekhe Tumi Kuthay Gecho? Amake Niye Jao. (Dad, where are you? Where did you go leaving me at home? Please, take me with you)."

Hridoy's bereaved wife Mukta Akter (24) wailed while sharing her endless grief and agony as this correspondent approached her for some words about her martyred husband at their Roisnagar residence at Jatrabari in the city.

"My son cries for his father every night, asking me to bring his father back," she said, weighed down by grief.

Mukta broke down when she recalled Rabbi's desperate words. "Whenever my son was sick, his father brought him yogurt and medicines. Now, he waits every day, calling for his father, not knowing he will never come back," she said as tears rolled down from her eyes.

Besides, Hridoy's death has plunged his family into severe financial hardship. As a day laborer, he was the sole breadwinner for their four-member household. Now, they are even unable to pay house rent, afford daily meals, or secure adequate medical care for Rabbi's worsening condition.

"We couldn't even take Rabbi to a specialist doctor because we don't have the money. He hasn't eaten properly for days, and we have been forced to depend on a local pharmacy for treatment," Hridoy's wife Mukta said with a heavy heart.

Observing this correspondent talking to his family members about his martyred father, Rabbi stared blankly while he was shedding tears silently lying on the bed.

Hridoy's elderly mother, Mariyam (60), also grieved the loss of her only son. "He was our only support. Now, I can do nothing. I walk in the streets hoping to see my son, but I see only the sons of others. How will my grandsons survive? They have no one left except their (paternal) aunties," she said wiping her eyes. 

Hridoy was fourth among his five siblings while his four sisters- Jhumur Akter, Surma Akter, Maya Akter and Sumaiya Akter have been married off. 

His father Md Mukul died in 2017. Hailing from Daudkandi Upazila of Comilla, Mukul pulled a rickshaw in the Rayerbag area until his death.

Since Hridoy was the only male member and breadwinner of his family, his death left his family, including his two minor sons -- Rabbi and nine-month-old Abdur Rahman -- in such a dire condition that they have been forced to depend on the empathy of Hridoy's sisters now.

"Hridoy was my only son among my five children . . . after his death, I along with my daughter-in-law and grandsons is now meeting out daily needs with the assistance of my daughters, who themselves struggle to make ends meet," said Mariyam with a sobbing tone.

Hridoy's wife Mukta is now staring at a bleak future with her two sons by losing her husband at an early age. "I lost my husband at only 24. I am now seeing sparks before my eyes since my father also died a few years back," wailing Mukta said. 

Noting that they could not pay house rent for three months, Hridoy's mother Mariyam sought assistance from the government. 

"We did not receive any help from the government level. We need assistance to meet even our basic needs," Mariyam pleaded.

The family received only Taka 1 lakh from Jamaat-e-Islami with which they paid loans and met the cost since Hridoy's demise. 

Recalling Hridoy's memories before martyrdom, his second sister Surma Akter said her brother had come to their Roisnagar residence on July 19 to visit them. But he was deeply moved by the student protests, believing in their cause for equality and justice. 

On the fateful day, Hridoy joined the anti-discrimination student movement in front of Kadamtali Police Station around 5pm to express solidarity with the agitating students. At that time, according to eyewitnesses, "police started firing indiscriminately at demonstrators".

Hridoy was caught in the line of fire and some unidentified people took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

"My husband received a phone call from an unknown number around 7.30pm, saying my brother's body was kept at the DMCH," said Surma in a composed tone while she was trying to control her emotion.

She said later they received the body from the hospital without a death certificate.

Hridoy's third sister Maya Akter recalled his memory of the day before his martyrdom, saying, "When I asked him not to go to the movement, my brother said, 'Do we educate our children to be rickshaw pullers? Even if the police kill me, I will be a martyr. My life will be for my country'."

"Hridoy believed in a better future for our children. He gave his life for this cause. But who will ensure his own children's survival?" Maya wondered with a heavy heart. 

Describing the difficulties they faced in burying Hridoy due to the turmoil situation, Surma said as the then government imposed curfew on the night of July 19, it was nearly impossible to gather the necessary items for his funeral.
 
"As helicopters were continuously patrolling Dhaka from the sky day and night, we were scared to go outside while we could not manage any vehicle to take his body to the graveyard. Finally, we laid Hridoy to his eternal rest at Matuail Graveyard on July 20," said Surma.

The family members of Hridoy called for a fair trial to hold the perpetrators for the loss of Hridoy and countless others.

The family members urged the government to take prompt action against the persons who are responsible for killing of Hridoy. 

"I want capital punishment of killers," said sobbing Mariyam.