Dhaka: Wife of Md Wasim Sheikh, a 38-year-old pant seller on footpath in the city, has been staring at a bleak future with her nine-month-old daughter as her husband embraced martyrdom in the uprising, leaving the family distraught. Wasim was fatally shot on July 18 at Kajla area of Jatrabari when the anti-discrimination student movement peaked on July 17, with participation from people across all strata following a massive crackdown on the protesters. The movement, which began by demanding quota reform in government jobs, eventually turned into a student-people uprising that succeeded in ousting the nearly 16-year-long autocracy on August 5, 2024.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Wasim’s family, comprising his wife Rehana Akter (33), their nine-month-old daughter Tasnia Sheikh, his mother Josna Begum (50), and his younger brother Abu Bakr (23), is now facing uncertainty and enduring unbearable agony after losing their only breadwinner. Wasim embraced martyrdom within four months of his father’s death, leaving the family unable to absorb the shock of both losses.
Rehana Akter recounted the tragic day, saying, “On July 18, my husband left the house around 4 pm to see his footpath shop at Shanir Akhra. According to eyewitnesses, he went to distribute water among the protesters when members of law enforcement agencies started firing at them.” She was informed by her brother-in-law, Md Zasim, around 6 pm that Wasim had sustained a bullet injury and was taken to Anabil Hospital.
Zasim, who lives separately in the city, first learned of the incident through a call from a shopkeeper next to Wasim’s footpath shop. By the time he reached Anabil Hospital, Wasim had already been transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). A devastating image showed a bullet had pierced through Wasim’s head. Zasim and his sister found Wasim in an ambulance at the DMCH emergency gate, where a doctor declared him dead.
Recalling the ordeal of retrieving Wasim’s body, Zasim explained they were initially blocked from entering Jatrabari Police Station on July 18 and received no assistance. It was only when a police officer visited DMCH the following day that arrangements for the postmortem were finalized, with the family receiving the body late afternoon on July 19, after paying Taka 12,000.
Wasim was laid to rest at Matuail graveyard after Magrib prayers the same day. As the second of five siblings, he was the sole provider for his family since his father had to abandon his business due to a stroke. Wasim’s death left the family in emotional and financial disarray, with Rehana lamenting their struggles since losing her husband just three months after the birth of their daughter.
Rehana expressed the financial hardships they now face, noting that they rely on the meager income from Wasim’s shop and support from relatives. Her brother-in-law, Abu Bakr, is unemployed, adding to their challenges.
The family, originally from Louhajanj Upazila in Munshiganj, lost their ancestral home to river erosion decades ago and have been living in Dhaka without any means to return. Rehana is seeking government assistance for her daughter’s future and justice for her husband’s death. She has filed a case with Jatrabari Police Station against several high-profile figures, demanding capital punishment for those responsible.