Md. Shawon Shikdar

On September 8, 1998, a bright son was born in the isolated village of Bolaikathi, in the Bakerganj district of the Greater Barishal division. He brightened the laps of Selim Sikdar and Rina Begum of Badal Para Union. He was given the name Shawon Sikdar by his parents. Shawon was a senior in high school. A 26-year-old man who works hard. He was a garment worker as well. He accepted a job in addition to his schooling to support his father because they were a low-income household. The family's needs were met, but their happiness was short-lived.
The hyenas disguised as police, with their bullets, instantly shattered his parents' dreams. They placed the weight of their son's lifeless body upon his father's shoulders. There is no despicable act that this autocratic, murderous Hasina government has not committed.
Family's Economic Condition:
Shawon had a close-knit family of six, including his parents, one brother, and two sisters. For the sake of livelihood, the family lives in Dhaka city. Shawon's father has a small roadside hotel where he only sells paratha, dal, and bhaji. The income from this hotel barely sustained them. To help his father in this struggling family, Shawon worked in a garment factory alongside his studies. The family was doing well with the combined income of father and son. After Shawon's Martyrdom, the family is facing hardship. Shawon's elder brother has not been able to concentrate on work yet. Since his brother's death, he has become somewhat abnormal. In the village, they have a small house made of wood and tin on 6 decimals of land.
Background of the Incident:
Beginning of Joining the Movement: Shawon used to watch the news on his mobile phone every day about the anti-discrimination student movement started by the students of Dhaka University. He also wished to join the movement. Sometimes, on his way back from work, he would join the students in the movement. His mother forbade him from going to the movement, so he joined without informing her. It was partly out of a sense of conscience, and partly out of extreme anger towards the autocratic government.
On the last day of the autocratic regime's downfall, August 5th, he joined the victory procession in the afternoon. He went to surround the Jatrabari police station with thousands of students and common people celebrating in the victory procession. It was beyond the imagination of thousands of students and common people celebrating in the victory procession that the animal-like police force, who were licking the feet of the autocratic government, could launch a surprise attack on the procession or open fire. Overthrowing the imagination of the celebrating unarmed students and the public, the overzealous misguided police force launched a surprise attack on the protesters. In an instant, the victory procession turned into cries of agony. The Jatrabari area turned into a terrible battlefield. This was a war fought even after independence, bound by the chains of subjugation. Suddenly, a police bullet hit Shawon's chest. Shawon immediately fell to the ground. The soil of this country was stained with Shawon's blood.
Rescuing the Martyr and Taking Him to the Hospital:
The people around who were participating in the movement rescued the injured Shawon and took him to the hospital. Shortly after being taken to the hospital, the on-duty doctor declared Shawon dead.
Informing the Family and Handing Over the Body:
A call was made from Shawon's mobile phone in his pocket and he was informed about the injury. Hearing the news, Shawon's elder brother and father rushed to the hospital. They saw that their beloved child was no more. Shawon's father became unconscious. The people around somehow managed the situation by comforting him. After the formalities, the hospital authorities handed over the Martyr’s body to his father and brother.
Taking the Body to the Village and Burial:
In the presence of two more relatives of the family, the body was taken to their village home in Barishal through an ambulance. The Martyr Shawon's body was buried in the presence of numerous people from the area.
This is how countless brave Shawons of the country have sacrificed their lives. Perhaps, if they had lived, we would never have known about their patriotism and sacrifice. Thousands of Shawons have brought a new independence in exchange for their lives. We are able to see the country's independence, we are able to enjoy the fruits of independence. We have only heard the cries of thousands of mothers who have lost their children. That is why, our heartfelt desire is that the names of thousands of Shawons be written in gold letters in history for generations to come, so that they may know that we got an independent Bangladesh because there were brave souls like Shawon in this country.
Memories of the Martyr by Close Relatives:
Father's Words:
During Eid, he came home and when he was leaving, he said, "Abba, I'm going, I have work to do." That was the last time my son went, and he never came back. My son did not belong to any political party. My son studied and worked and sent money home. The hyenas (killers) finished off my son.
Mother's Words:
On the 18th, I asked my son, "Baba, are you going to Dhaka for the hot movement?" He said, "I am not involved in these." Later I told him, "Don't go." My two sons were very close, they wanted to do a lot together. They tried hard to stay together as brothers and sisters. But my son was shot and killed by the police. May Allah grant my beloved child a high place in Jannatul Firdaus. Whether there are 5 children or 10 children, a child is a child. And no one can understand this pain of losing a child except a mother.
Elder Brother's Words:
My brother was a very good man. He always managed his own work, never said anything to anyone. I am not able to concentrate on work at all after losing my only younger brother. I have countless memories with my brother. I am not able to forget my brother's memories in any way.
Memories of the Martyr by Close Relatives:
Younger Sister: My father is very ill. He cannot do any work. All the expenses were borne by my brother. Now it would be good if you could arrange some work for my younger brother.
Friend: Shawon was a very good boy. He was always happy and cheerful. He used to pray regularly. Shawon's presence in the circle of friends made us happy.
Uncle: My nephew was a very calm and gentle boy. He respected us very much. By losing him, we have lost something very valuable.
Proposals for Assistance:
1. Housing is needed.
2. It would be helpful if some business establishment could be arranged for the father.
3. Assistance can be provided to cover the educational expenses of the younger brothers and sisters.
Personal Information of the Martyr at a Glance
Full Name: Md. Shawon Shikdar
Date of Birth: September 8, 1998
Occupation: Student
Address: Village: Bolaikathi, Union: Badalpara, Police Station: Bakerganj, District: Barishal
Father's Name: Md. Selim Shikdar, Age: 59 years, Occupation: Farmer
Mother's Name: Rina Begum, Age: 45 years, Occupation: Housewife
Family Members: 5
Siblings: 3
1. Maruf Shikdar (19), Grade: Eleventh
2. Lamia (21), Grade: Degree
3. Lima (15), Grade: Ninth
Place of Occurrence: East side of Jatrabari Police Station, 1 kilometer ahead from Sufia Garments
Assailant: Police
Time, Date, and Time of Death: August 5, 2024, 2:30 PM
Date: August 5, 2024, 4:30 PM
Location of Martyr's Grave: Family graveyard in Bolaikathi village