Suman Sheikh-Photo: BSS

Barun Kumar Dash back from Sirajganj

DHAKA, June 14, 2025 (BSS) – “I lost one son and gained thousands of sons. These sons will stand up against tyranny and fascism again and again.”

“They will break the shackles of oppression, and each one of them will become a Suman Sheikh,” said Feroza Begum, 50, mother of martyr Suman Sheikh, who was shot dead by police during the anti-discrimination student-public movement last year.

While talking to BSS at her residence in the Goyla area of Ward No. 9 of Sirajganj Sadar upazila recently, she said, “My son will not come back. I raised my son with great difficulty. He had a lot of dreams. No mother should lose a son like me. No one else should suffer like me.”

Feroza Begum said, “My son gave me everything he earned. Thinking of him feels like my arms and legs are breaking. I demand strict punishment for those who killed him,” said the grieving mother of martyr Suman.

Suman Sheikh was the son of Gonjer Ali, 60, and the grandson of the heroic freedom fighter Gazi Kangal Sheikh of the Goyla area in Sirajganj district town.

Suman was born on December 2, 1993. He was politically aware since childhood. He participated in the student-public mass uprising to establish a discrimination-free state.

Suman's family consisted of his parents, two brothers, and one sister. His father runs a roadside tea stall in front of a seven-story building in the Kalibari Kancha Bazar area. His mother is a housewife.

Father Gonjer Ali said that after passing HSC (Technical) from Sirajganj Government Technical School and College, Suman got the opportunity to study for a diploma course at Sunamganj Polytechnic Institute.

“Since my income could not meet the expenses of the family and his education, Suman used to work at a local broadband internet service shop. In between jobs, he would occasionally help out at my shop,” he said.

Suman's elder brother Rubel works full-time at the shop. His only sister, Aduri Khatun, passed a diploma course in the electrical trade from Sirajganj Polytechnic Institute in 2022.

Suman Sheikh's father said that when the capital Dhaka and the whole country were in turmoil due to the anti-discrimination student-public movement, Sirajganj, located on the banks of the Jamuna River, was also in tumult.

On August 4, 2024, the anti-discrimination student-public movement brought out a procession in Sirajganj city. Suman joined the procession.

He said, “Without informing me, Suman joined the procession with thousands of students and people and chanted slogans against tyranny.”

“Shortly after, Jubo League leaders opened fire on the procession near the Eliot Bridge on the local SS Road in Sirajganj town. Suman fell to the ground after being shot in the abdomen,” he said.

Gonjer Ali also said, “On the morning of that day, Suman came to my tea stall and ate bread and bananas. Later, when I finished shopping, he took the groceries home. At 10 a.m., he joined the students' procession without my knowledge.”

He said, “I got the news at 11 a.m. that Suman had been shot. The students and public took him to North Bengal Hospital. I immediately rushed to the hospital. When I arrived, I heard that my Suman was no more. In an instant, all my dreams were shattered.”

Although Suman was martyred on August 4, his body was kept in the mortuary for a day.

Later, on August 6, after the autopsy at Shaheed M. Mansur Ali Medical College and Hospital, he was buried in the town's Malshapara graveyard in the evening.

Gonjer Ali said, “I tried several times to get my much-loved son Suman married, but he would not agree. He would say that he would get married after getting a good job and building a house.”

“My son is no more. I will never get him back. I want to see the trial of my son’s murder while I am alive,” the lamenting father said in a heavy voice, crying.

Suman's elder brother Rubel Hasan said, “Those who killed my younger brother for no reason — I want them punished severely. I demand their capital punishment.”

“My much-loved brother Suman was martyred while participating in the anti-discrimination student-public movement. We want proper justice for his murder.”

She said, “My brother was very calm, very humble and polite. He loved me and my parents very much. He had many dreams. Whenever I remember him, I cry. I cannot think that I will not be able to see him again.”

“Even though I was older, Suman would advise me on everything, including studies. He would share everything with his family. This bleeding of the heart may never stop. The memories spent with my brother repeatedly flash before my eyes,” Aduri Khatun said.

Ratan, a fruit seller next to his father's tea stall, said, “Suman was a very good boy. When we met, he would greet us and talk to us with a smile. We were all saddened by the boy's untimely passing. His killers must be punished.”