July Mass Upsurge: Intolerable pain of a father

The overwhelming grief of Md Abul Kalam is unimaginable as he faces the unbearable loss of his son and the crippling injury of another. 

His elder son, Sohag Mia, 23, was killed, and his younger son, Shuvo Mia, 22, was critically injured while celebrating the fall of the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina during the July Mass Upsurge.

Sohag was laid to rest near a ditch at his ancestral home, where a national flag flies over his grave, marking his sacrifice. 

Kalam prays daily for the eternal peace of his beloved son's soul, a ritual he hopes will provide some solace.

A BSS correspondent visiting the family's home in Gulamipur village under Bhimkhali union, Jamalganj upazila, Sunamganj, witnessed this heartbreaking scene. 

For Kalam, tears are his only outlet, as he mourns his two sons—one taken by police fire and the other left with life-altering injuries during the upsurge.

The tragedy unfolded on 5 August, when Sohag and Shuvo, like many across Bangladesh, joined a victory procession in Dhaka after the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina ended. As they neared Badda police station, police reportedly opened fire on the protestors, killing Sohag instantly.

Following his death, Sohag was buried in the family graveyard, with a large gathering, including students, and representatives from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Jamiat-e-Ulama, attending his namaj-e-janaza.

Sohag's journey was cut short long before he had a chance to fulfil his dreams. 

Born on 7 December 2001 to day labourer Abul Kalam and Rokeya Begum, he had to discontinue his studies after fifth grade due to financial hardship. 

As the second of six children, Sohag's life was marked by struggle, with his family even selling land and cattle and taking out loans in a failed attempt to send him abroad for work. Meanwhile, Shuvo, who survived the shooting, now bears physical and emotional scars. 

"I was in the procession with Sohag," he recalled. 

"When we reached near Badda police station, police opened fire, leaving us injured. Sohag died on the spot," he added. 

Though he was taken to a hospital, Shuvo had to leave early, unable to afford further treatment. 

"Later, I was taken to hospital. But I could not stay in the hospital as I could not afford the treatment cost...I still have two bullets in my body," he added. 

The family, who lives in a crumbling home on a tiny piece of land, is now at a breaking point. 

Billal Mia, elder brother of Sohag, said, "We sold our land, cattle and took loan for sending Sohag abroad. We gave Tk 5 lakh to an agent, but they did not send him abroad or even give back the money to us."

"Later, I along with my four brothers left the house and started working in Dhaka city," he continued. 

Rokeya Begum recalling her son Sohag said, "When I became upset, he used to hug me. He always tried to make me cheerful . . . But he is no more today."

She demanded exemplary punishment of the killers of Sohag. 

Abul Kalam, who suffers from heart disease, relied on his sons to support the household. 

"After Sohag's death, all my sons returned home. We're trying to manage by taking loans," he explained.

Touhid Chowdhury Prodip, president of the Jamalganj Press Club, urged the government to support the family financially. 

"The government should help them secure a stable home and a dignified life," he said.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has extended some support, donating Tk2 lakh to the family and expressing condolences, while local leaders also showed solidarity. 

The party leaders referred to Sohag as a martyr, a courageous fighter against an oppressive regime, and acknowledged the transformative impact of the student-led movement.

As the July Mass Upsurge reshapes the lives of countless families across Bangladesh, the pain of Abul Kalam's family serves as a stark reminder of the personal toll.