In his books, Unfinished Memoirs and Karagarer Rojnamcha (Prison Diary), Bangabandhu has recounted numerous memories regarding his spouse Fazilatunnesa Mujib. The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mijibur Rahman used to call his wife Renu.
In the two books, memories of him meeting his wife Renu at the prison gates when he was serving time in prison or when he was in attendance in court, are prominent in the narrative. In these two works, written during his incarceration at various prisons of the country, Bangabandhu also reflects on his wife when he was a student. The fact that his wife provided him with financial assistance for his education has also been discussed a number of times. The subject of his wife managing his children and household despite hardships has also been mentioned as well as the fact that Bangabandhu wrote these two books on being encouraged by his wife to do so.
Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib | Courtesy
In his memoirs, Bangabandhu dwells on his blood lineage with his wife. They are paternal cousins in relation. Thus, they are both members of the Sheikh family. Even though it is not specified when exactly Bangabandhu tied the knot, Bangabandhu states in Unfinished Memoirs that they consummated their marriage in 1942.
In his books, Bangabandhu credits his wife, Renu, along with his father, with providing him with financial assistance to continue his studies during his student life at Islamiya College in Kolkata and Dhaka University. He writes: “From time to time, Renu used to give me money. She gave me whatever amount she had saved.”
Regarding a visit to Kolkata, Bangabandhu describes his wife in the following manner: “After bidding farewell to my parents and siblings, I went to Renu’s room to say goodbye. I saw that Renu was standing there with some money in her hands. She was trying very hard to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes. She said, “You do not want to return once you go to Kolkata. Come home as soon as the college holidays begin.”
Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib | Courtesy
Bangabandhu, to narrate a memory during his prison sentence at Dhaka Prison writes: “Renu was living with Hasina at home during that time. Hasina had just learnt how to walk. I got the letter from Renu in prison. My father had also sent some money. Renu knew that I smoked, and guessed that I might run out of money. She asked me to tell her if I needed money.”
In Unfinished Memoirs, the issue of his wife financially aiding him during his student life, imprisonment, and even while he engaged in political activities has come up several times.
When Bangabandhu’s BA exam was ongoing, he was staying at his sister’s home in Park Circus of Kolkata. During the exam, his wife also arrived in Kolkata. Bangabandhu has portrayed this incident in the following words: “A few days later, Renu arrived in Kolkata. She believed that I would surely pass the exams if she was with me. I sat for the BA exam and passed.”
Bangabandhu was once discussing the issue of the neglect directed at the Bangalis by the Pakistan government with his father. At that moment, the topic of Bangabandhu managing his family and household also came up. About this incident, Bangabandhu states that Renu asked: “How long will this go on?” Bangabandhu adds: “I knew that Renu was secretly listening to our conversation.”
At one point, Bangabandhu was returning home after a month-long stay in West Pakistan. He was arriving in Tungipara from Pakistan via Delhi-Kolkata, while there was an arrest warrant issued against him. He says about the incident: “Renu must be waiting in earnest to meet me. She endures every trial on her own but does not complain. This is why I feel even more hurt.”
He was returning to Dhaka after staying seven-eight days at his village home, and another seven days at his sister’s house in Madaripur. His family also accompanied him up to Madaripur. Due to strategic reasons, as he was under an arrest warrant, he was returning to Dhaka via Madaripur at the time. In Unfinished Memoirs, he writes that his wife Renu offered him some money at that time as well. Regarding this incident, he writes: “I said, ‘You were alone for so long but now there are two more members in your team. You have to manage somehow as I cannot help financially at the moment. You can't ask father all the time, I know. And where will father get the money? I don't need the money. I will be arrested soon; I can’t stay on the run.
Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib | Courtesy
I don’t know when I’ll be able to meet you again. Don’t come to Dhaka, the children will suffer. There’s very little space at sister’s house, and I don’t want any relatives to suffer. Write to me, I will write too.’
Once the imprisoned Mujib was being taken to Khulna on a ship from Dhaka Jail. Simultaneously, his parents, wife, and children set out on another ship to meet him. Bangabandhu predicted that such an incident might occur. He writes: “What I had feared has manifested itself in reality. The previous night, my parents, Renu, and the children had set out for Dhaka and I had set out for Khulna. Even though our ships encountered each other in the river, we did not meet each other. I had not met them for over a year.”
Bangabandhu arrived in Gopalganj from Khulna to attend a hearing. He was very ill at the time. He had asked his family to buy him some eggs. Being aware of his ailment, Renu urged Bangabandhu to take care of his health. He narrates: “Renu warned me. “Don't forget you suffered from heart disease and had an eye surgery,” she said. I tried to reassure her. What else can be done!”
After another trial date was set in the court, his wife and the children arrived in Gopalganj to meet him. Describing the event, Bangabandhu writes: “Renu told me, “Please take care of your health even if you are in jail. Your ill health has upset me. You should understand that I have nobody in this world—I was orphaned at a young age, and don’t have anybody else. What would I do if something were to happen to you?” I tried to console her but it bore the opposite result—she had begun to cry even more.”
In 1952, Bangabandhu reached Tungipara within five days of being released from Faridpur Jail. Due to carrying out a hunger strike during his prison term, Bangabandhu was quite weak physically. His wife broke down in tears after Bangabandhu reached home and all the guests had left.
Bangabandhu was then busy visiting various districts to organize the Awami League, and had stopped pursuing a law degree. He describes this experience in the following words: “I have given up pursuing a law degree. My father was very disappointed, he did not want to give me any money. I had to do something. I have children now. How long will this go on? Renu says nothing; she silently endures the suffering. She knew that I would need money whenever I went home, and she was always trying to manage it somehow.”
Bangabandhu was then a member of the cabinet. At this time, he once visited Karachi to discuss the issue of East Bengal with the central cabinet. His family had arrived in Dhaka a few days before this incident to live there. Returning to Dhaka from Pakistan, Bangabandhu describes the scene in the following way: “Returning home, I discovered that Renu had not been properly able to set up the household. I told her, “It may not be necessary as I may be removed from my ministerial position and even arrested. Where will you stay in Dhaka? You may have to return home. You came here to stay with me, the children would’ve also got a better education. These hopes won’t be realized probably. You even spent all your money.”
After the cabinet was dissolved, Bangabandhu was arrested. He reminisces about his wife's situation during his arrest: “Renu organized everything for me and started crying. The little ones were asleep; I asked her not to wake them up. I said to Renu, “What can I tell you before going? Do what you think is best. But it’ll be difficult to stay in Dhaka, you should go home instead.” I asked my friend Yar Mohammad Khan to rent a house if Renu did not return home.”
At the end of Unfinished Memoirs, the incident of Bangabandhu meeting his family, after being released from prison due to his father’s sickness, is mentioned. At that time, Bangabandhu’s family was living in Dhaka, and he was in Dhaka Central Jail. A telegram reached Renu stating that Bangabandhu’s father was very sick. Before leaving to see her father-in-law, Renu had submitted an application to the government for Bangabandhu’s release from prison. Bangabandhu was released at 9pm that night. Meanwhile, being uncertain of Bangabandhu’s release and her father-in-law being gravely ill, Renu and her children set out on a ship from Badamtoli Ghat. After being released from jail, Bangabandhu came to know about their journey. He also came to know that the ship would reach Narayanganj at 11pm. Immediately, he went to Narayanganj and boarded the ship. He writes about meeting his wife on the ship: “Renu was surprised to see me. The kids were asleep and Renu woke them up.”
On July 6, 1966, Bangabandhu’s wife and children visited him in jail. He writes about the incident: “When I saw the jamadar (warder) coming, I thought, maybe the Begum Saheba has come. She couldn't visit on the last date due to illness. The Jamadar said, “Come on, Begum Saheba has arrived.” Without any delay, I quickly walked towards the gate after putting on a panjabi. The same old scene. Russel was on Hasina’s lap.”
About meeting his family on July 26, 1966, Bangabandhu writes in his memoir: “We’ll meet today, surely. Renu will visit with the children, if she is permitted. Almost 15 days had passed. I was glancing at my watch repeatedly to see if it was four o’clock yet. I spent the afternoon with the papers somehow. I have become so weak that I no longer want to walk. The long awaited meeting came thirty minutes after four.
“The children started calling me, “abba, abba” (father). I told Renu, “I am starting to get fat, what should I do!” She brings a lot of food. Renu came up with my elder daughter's marriage proposal and wanted my opinion. “What opinion can I give from jail! Let her study, let her pass IA and BA exams first,” I said. Renu has become restless. How could I tell her how long they’re going to keep me here!”
Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib | Courtesy
To recount his wife’s visit on January 11, 1967, Bangabandhu writes: “Renu has come to visit along with the children. Eid Jamaat is on the 13th. Children will not accept Eid clothes or celebrate Eid as I am in prison. I told them to celebrate nonetheless.”
Regarding the meeting during Eid, he writes: “On the 14th, Renu came to meet me after obtaining special permission. They allowed this as it was during Eid. But prisoners cannot feel the joy of Eid. Time passed and Renu left with the children. I came back, lied down, and thought such is the way of the world.”
On March 17, 1967, his wife and children got the opportunity to meet Bangabandhu on his birthday at the jail gate. Bangabandhu writes: “March 17 marks my 47th birthday. Renu and the children had visited me just on the 14th.Will they grant me permission to meet them again so soon?” I would like it very much if they visited me. After 4:30, I thought they did not get the clearance to meet me. Then it was five o’clock. Just then, the jamadar said, “Come, your begum saheba and children have come to visit”.”
That year, Bangabandhu’s wife Renu had sent him food at his prison cell on the occasion Eid-ul-Azha. Bangabandhu describes this incident in these words: “Renu must have been cooking from the dawn. How could she have sent the food by 12 o’clock otherwise?”
Their next meeting was on April 15, 1967. During that meeting, his wife informed him that she was struggling to make ends meet. Also, during the hour-long meeting, Bangabandhu inquired about the education of their children and the health of his parents. After Bangabandhu advised her, she said: “You don’t have to worry.” “I never worried, not even when I was outside. I hardly think about household matters,” Bangabandhu wrote in his book.
On April 28 or 29, 1967, Bangabandhu’s family came to visit him. In Karagarer Rojnamcha, Bangabandhu says he could finally talk with his wife to his heart’s content. He chatted with his family for almost half an hour about various things, including their household, home, etc. He told his children: “I have spent my whole life away from home or in jail. Your mother has always been in-charge of the household. Become good human beings.”
He further writes: “I bid them farewell in the evening. I said, “Don’t think too much, there’s lots of hardships. Always be prepared.”
