Md Shihab Uddin- Photo-BSS

Barun Kumar Dash 

DHAKA, June 15, 2025 (BSS) –  Md Shihab Uddin, 33, embraced martyrdom  on August 5, 2024 as he was beaten by Awami League activists while joining victory procession after downfall of fascist Sheikh Hasina.        

Shihab's wife, Moyna Khatun, said, “My husband came home after participating in the victory procession and told me that he was not feeling well.”

He said, “|Give me some water.’ Saying this, he fell to his death . . . we didn't get time for taking him to hospital.”  

Recalling the events of that day, Moyna Khatun said, "Victory processions were held across the country on August 5, 2024, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in the face of the indomitable anti-discrimination student-public protests.

Students and the public also brought out a victory procession in Kamarkhand upazila town of Sirajganj district that afternoon.

She said, “After returning from this victory procession, my husband died at home. He had been in the procession since 10 am. Awami League leaders and activists attacked the procession at noon. They struck him in the chest with sticks and hockey sticks.”

She added, "When he left the house, I repeatedly forbade him from joining the movement. We are poor people. We have debts. What will we do if something happens to you? There’s no need to go out today.”

“There is no problem. Nothing will happen. If I see any problem outside, I will come back,” Moyna Begum quoted her husband as saying.

Moyna Begum further said, “I have no income. Shihab didn’t leave behind any savings. We’ve taken loans from various institutions. We have to pay installments every week.”

“We don’t even have any land or property. How will we survive with our two daughters? What will happen to their education? I don’t know what to do,” she said in a heavy voice, crying.

In response to a question, Shihab’s eldest daughter, Morsalina, said, “Our father has left us. He used to come back from work and take my sister and me to the shop. He would buy us a lot of food. I miss him very much every afternoon.”

Shihab’s mother, Chamela Khatun, said, “How will we raise his daughters and take care of his wife now? We can’t bear it anymore. We don't know what will happen to us in the future!” she said.

Ruma Khatun, a neighbor of Shihab, said, “We don’t know how Shihab’s widow will survive with her two daughters and sick mother-in-law!” said Ruma Khatun.

Shihab’s ailing father, Selim, said, “My son is gone. He left behind a wife and two daughters. I can’t even sleep at night thinking about their future and how we will manage their education.”

When this BSS reporter recently visited Shihab Uddin’s village home in Kamarkhand upazila, he found a small tin-roofed house where Shihab’s wife and two daughters live. Adjacent to it is a small room where his parents reside.

None of the rooms have access to proper lighting or ventilation. The interior of the house is damp and gloomy. A mere glance at the condition of the home makes it painfully clear that the family of Shaheed Shihab is living in extreme hardship.

Moyna Khatun said, “My husband was a very good person. He used to pray regularly. He helped people in many ways.”

“Despite our poverty, we all lived together. By the grace of Almighty Allah, my husband became a martyr. Despite all the uncertainties our family is facing, I am proud to be the widow of a martyr,” said Moyna Khatun, weeping.

“My two daughters are very talented in their studies. This year, they topped their respective classes. Their father wanted to raise them as well-educated, ideal human beings,” she said.

“Will I be able to fulfill their father’s dream? Educating girls costs a lot—where will I get that kind of money?” she said.

Moyna added, “All those who were killed in the anti-discrimination student-public movement should be declared martyrs by the state. At the same time, those who killed my husband should be found and severely punished.”

“After returning home from work, my father would first take my two sisters to the store. He would buy them many things there. Now, my father is no more. He has been martyred.”

Mariyam, the four-year-old daughter of Shihab said these heart-touching words while speaking to BSS at their residence located in Pramanik Para village of the Baidya Jamtail area in Kamarkhand upazila of Sirajganj recently.

Martyr Md Shihab Uddin was the son of Selim Pramanik, 60, a resident of Pramanik Para village. His mother is Chamela Khatun, 50. Apart from his ailing parents, Shihab is survived by his wife, Moyna Khatun, 34, and two daughters—Morsalina, 7, and Mariyam, 4.

Shihab was born on January 1, 1991. He was the eldest among five siblings. His younger brother Nazmul, 25, works as a mason in the area, while his elder brother Nasim, 30, is employed in a garment factory in Dhaka.