A few months ago, 60-year-old Bahram Badsha sold his van to support his son Sobuj Ali's education. As he sold his only source of income, he now pedals a rented rickshaw in Manikganj, which is far from his home in Nilphamari.
He sold his van, hoping his son would one day change their family's fortunes, but tragically, his son died during the ongoing quota reform protests.
The entire nation is aware of Sobuj's demise except for his father.
Bahram has been pleading rickshaw in Manikganj and staying there since last Thursday. Without a mobile phone and therefore remains unaware of the tragic news of his son's death.
Sobuj Ali, a first-year master's student at Dhaka College, was killed during these protests on Tuesday.
Sabuj's mother demands justice for murder
Surjo Banu, the mother of Sabuj Ali, demands justice for her son's murder in the quota reform movement.
While grieving, his mother said: "My son Sabuj never even argued with anyone, let alone fought. Everyone knows this. Then why was my son killed? What was his fault?"
During a visit to Sobuj's home, it was observed that the family was devastated, especially his mother, Surjo Banu, who is bedridden and inconsolable. Sobuj was the only one among her four children who was pursuing higher education, and his death has deeply affected her.
“Sobuj's father had sold his van to pay for his admission fees and now drives a rickshaw. Without any means of communication, Bahram has yet to learn of his son’s death,” the mother said.
Quota movement: 20 injured as clash breaks out in JUSurjo Banu, overwhelmed by grief, has become ill from her relentless mourning. This sorrow has deeply affected the entire family and cast a shadow in the area.
Local resident Kausar Islam said: “Sobuj's family is very poor. He had been intelligent and well-mannered from a young age, which is why everyone liked and supported him. With his death, we, the local residents, stand by their family.”
“However, since his father went to Manikganj to drive a rickshaw, we have been unable to communicate with him. He does not have a mobile phone or any means of communication, so we have not been able to inform him about his son's death.”
Sobuj's childhood friend, Robiul Islam, recalled their days of playing and studying together.
He said: “Sobuj was a good student, which allowed him to study in Dhaka, and the community often helped him financially due to his family's poor economic situation.”
Meanwhile, a press conference was held by the Nilphamari District Awami League in response to Sobuj's death, where MP Asaduzzaman Noor spoke.
He claimed that the quota protest was misunderstood by some students and alleged that it was being exploited by local and international conspirators to incite students.
