The family of Sobuj Ali, a member of the Chhatra League at Dhaka College, is devastated following his death in a violent attack linked to BNP and Jamaat-e-Islam activists during the quota reform movement.
They said that Sobuj had no prior involvement in student politics before enrolling at Dhaka College. Like many others, he moved to the capital with the hope of higher education, but his dreams were tragically cut short, leading to his return home in a coffin.
While speaking with the Dhaka Tribune, Nur Nabi, Sobuj Ali's elder brother, mentioned that Sobuj got involved in student politics after getting admission to Dhaka College. He faced financial difficulties and tried to secure accommodation in the college hall by joining the Chhatra League.
Following the namaz-e-janaza in Dhaka, they carried his coffin to their village home in Nilphamari.
Nur Nabi recounted that Sobuj excelled academically, and said: “My brother had the opportunity to gain admission to Jahangirnagar University after graduating from college in 2017. However, due to delays in receiving the admission results while living in a remote area, Sobuj missed the chance to enrol despite being on the merit list.
“After enrolling at Dhaka College, Sobuj tried to cover his expenses by doing tuition. He had already completed his undergraduate program at Dhaka College. He was studying for the master's program at the same institution, but his studies remained incomplete.”
Sobuj’s brother further said: "We come from a poor family. I work in a factory in Dhaka to help alleviate our financial hardships, and my sister is married.”
Despite these challenges, Sobuj Ali achieved so much on his own. He was the first in the village who obtain an undergraduate degree. His dream was to attain higher education and support our family, but that dream remains incomplete.
“My brother may have been forced into student politics due to financial difficulties. But how will we bear this loss now? I demand proper justice for my brother's murder and compensation as well,” Nur Nabi said in a tearful voice.
Man sells van for son’s education, unaware of tragic death in quota protestsSobuj's father unaware of his son’s death
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.
Quota movement: 25 injured as clash breaks out in JUSobuj's mother demands justice for murder
Surjo Banu, the mother of Sobuj Ali, demands justice for her son's murder in the quota reform movement.
While grieving, his mother said: "My son Sobuj 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.
Surjo 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.
Our Dinajpur correspondent Md Faruk Hossain contributed to this report
