‘I remember my father lying on floor’

Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh MP is one of the survivors of the assassination of Father of Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family on August 15, 1975. He is the younger of two sons of Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni and Shamsunnessa Arju Moni, who were assassinated along with Bangabandhu. Moni, a Freedom Fighter, journalist and politician was a nephew to Sheikh Mujib. In an interview with the Dhaka Tribune, Taposh talks about his recollections of the night and his memories of Bangabandhu.What did you see on that night?I was less than five years old. I do not recollect much of that night. I only faintly remember the body of my father lying on the floor to the stairs.How you were rescued and where did you hide?My brother and I were carried by my aunt Mrs Fatema Selim, to a room inside and hidden there.What was the last conversation with your father and mother?I do not remember.What was the last conversation with Bangabandhu?I do not remember.What is the sweetest memory you have with the Father of the Nation?Once when my brother and I went to the residence of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with my parents and grandmother. Bangabandhu was on the veranda talking to other family members. When he saw us he took my brother and me on his lap and started playing with us. This the only faint memory I have.Do scenes from that night still haunt you?The dead body of my father lying on the floor to the stairs still haunts me.Who brought you up after the death of your parents?My grandfather, grandmother, uncles and aunts reared me with all the love and affection that any parents can give to their children. Especially, my grandmother played a very pivotal role in our rearing.When did you first meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina?We met Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi in India, for the first time after the 15 August tragedy while she was in exile there.What was the political situation after the killings?I was under five years old. I had no ability to understand the political situation during the killing.What is your evaluation of those brutal killings now?The killing of Bangabandhu was a great loss for the nation and an attack on the future development of Bangladesh. Bangladesh would have become a developed country 20 years ago if Bangabandhu were alive. Taposh is the Member of Parliament for the Dhaka 10 constituency. He was born on November 19, 1971 during the Liberation War. He is married and has two sons. His elder brother Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, an academic by profession.