Kushita: “Why did police shoot my father?” asked little Farah, echoing the profound confusion and sorrow of a family grappling with the loss of their beloved Ashraful Islam. The four-year-old, unable to comprehend the finality of death, expressed her innocent belief that removing the bullets would bring her father back to life. Her brother, Fahim Mahmud Pran, shares the same naiveté, worried about his father’s grave getting drenched in the rain, and stands vigil with an umbrella to protect it.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Ashraful was killed during the anti-discrimination student movement on August 5. A painter by profession, Ashraful was driven by a strong sense of justice and joined the movement to reform the quota system and challenge the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina. However, his participation in the protests led to his untimely death when he was shot by police, one of nine people killed that day.
The tragic incident has left Ashraful’s family in a state of turmoil. Laboni Akter Ety, As
hraful’s widow, shared a heart-wrenching account of the day her husband left home, promising to return for lunch, only to never come back. She described the police brutality captured on video, with officers shooting Ashraful at close range and then assaulting him as he lay on the ground.
The family now faces an uncertain future, struggling to make ends meet in the absence of Ashraful’s income. Laboni, with the support of relatives, is striving to provide for her children, who are clinging to memories of their father through his belongings. Despite their hardship, Laboni takes pride in her husband’s sacrifice, hoping his legacy will be remembered by the people.
Laboni has called upon the affluent to offer financial assistance to help her family navigate these challenging times, emphasizing the need for community support in the wake of such a devastating loss.