Washim Sheikh

On July 18, businessman Wasim Sheikh was killed in the Shanir Akhra area. A bullet directly hit his head. He owned a clothing stall on the sidewalk. Hearing about a commotion, he went to check on his shop and was shot.
• Father’s Name: Late Aulad Hossain
• Mother’s Name: Josna Begum
Although he had no involvement in the July Revolution movement, he still lost his life.
Wasim Sheikh left behind his only daughter, Tasnia Sheikh. The seven-month-old infant now gazes blankly, never to feel her father’s touch again. Though she cannot speak yet, she silently searches for her father. She lost him just two months and 12 days after her birth.
On the afternoon of July 18, 38-year-old Wasim Sheikh was shot dead in Jatrabari, Dhaka. A bullet blew off a part of his skull. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Wasim supported his family by selling clothes on the footpath in Shanir Akhra. He had many dreams for his only child—dreams that will now remain unfulfilled.
Context of Martyrdom
Six years ago, in April 2018, the entire country erupted in protest demanding reforms in the quota system for government jobs. Despite facing attacks and repression from the police and the ruling party's student wing, the movement intensified. At one stage, the then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in Parliament the complete abolition of the quota system. In October of that year, the government issued a notification officially canceling the quota system.
To prolong its tenure in power, the Awami League and its illegitimate government reinstated the quota system. Their plan was to use the system to recruit their loyal and sycophantic workers, particularly members of the ruling party’s student wing, into government jobs. Sheikh Hasina had already turned the judiciary into her obedient servants. Following her directive, on Wednesday, June 5, the High Court ruled in favor of reinstating the quota system, declaring the previous cancellation of the freedom fighter quota (9th–13th grade) illegal. In response, the entire country once again erupted in protests.
On Thursday, June 6, students from various educational institutions staged demonstrations against the court’s ruling. A large number of students participated in the protest at Dhaka University. On Sunday, June 9, Dhaka University students once again protested against the reinstatement of the quota system. They issued a deadline of June 30 for their demands to be met, warning that if their demands were not fulfilled by then, they would launch a full-scale movement. After the protest in Dhaka, a delegation of demonstrators submitted a memorandum to the Attorney General. Students from Chittagong University and Barisal University also staged protests on the same issue. On that day, the state filed an appeal to suspend the High Court's ruling.
Throughout July, students announced various programs. The ruling party used its student wing and the police to suppress every demonstration, which fueled widespread public outrage. On July 15, members of the ruling party's student wing attacked male and female students. On July 16, after several students were killed, the Prime Minister addressed the nation at 7 PM wearing a black saree. However, she did not mention the brutal killings that had occurred the previous day. Her deceptive seven-minute scripted speech further enraged the protesters. In response, the demonstrators announced a nationwide "Complete Shutdown" program for the following day.
On that day, the movement spread even to the most remote parts of the country. The people's defiance against the oppressive regime of the Awami mafia was recorded in history. That night, the Minister of Law called on the protesters for dialogue. The demonstrators firmly responded, "There will be no dialogue over spilled blood."
July 18, Thursday
A "Complete Shutdown" program was observed in almost all districts across the country, including Dhaka. The program received overwhelming support and participation from the general public. On this day, students from schools, colleges, and private universities were at the forefront of the resistance, armed with sticks, while the police and border guards (BGB) stood ready with firearms. Students from BRAC University, East-West University, and Canadian University led protests in Mohakhali, Rampura, Badda, and Malibagh. In Mirpur, a large number of people joined the students of a private university in their demonstration. Resistance was evident everywhere—Mirpur, Paltan, Uttara, and Jatrabari. RAB helicopters hovered over Dhaka’s skies. In the face of student resistance, 60 police officers, trapped inside a building, had to be evacuated by helicopter.
The government deployed BGB forces, who, instead of protecting the borders, opened fire on students. Protesters occupied numerous locations across Dhaka, turning the capital into a city of marches, protests, and resistance. At 9 PM, the government shut down internet services. That day, at least 79 people were killed, and countless others were injured.
Washim Sheikh, a small business owner, rushed to protect his shop, located on the sidewalk. He was trying to figure out how to save his goods from being destroyed in the protests. Sheikh Hasina had ordered that the movement be crushed at any cost. The police indiscriminately killed protesters, and many bodies were secretly disposed of. Washim Sheikh, believing himself to be an ordinary businessman, assumed that only protesters would be targeted. That afternoon, after arriving in Shanir Akhra, he lost consciousness. Protesters later found scattered bodies on the streets. When Washim Sheikh was rescued, it was discovered that a gunshot had blown off part of his head.
Statement from Close Relatives
Washim Sheikh's wife, Rehana Akter, said, "My husband was the sole breadwinner of our family. We have a seven-month-old child who has been dependent on purchased milk since birth. Managing the household without him is extremely difficult for a mother. On the day of the incident, he left home at 4 PM. At that time, my mother-in-law and I were having a meal while he put our daughter to sleep before stepping outside. We had our daughter after eight years of marriage. He had many dreams for her—where he would take her, where she would study. But when she was just two months and twelve days old, her father passed away."
She continued, "Now, my only concern is my daughter. I could only study up to the tenth grade. Now, I have to find a job for her future; otherwise, where will we go? My husband wanted to send our daughter to a madrasa for education, but he couldn’t fulfill that wish. He lost his life for the country, while my child lost her father. She was his only child, and he adored her immensely. When he returned home after work, she wouldn't pay attention to anyone else. She played with him until late at night. Now, not seeing her father, she looks for him everywhere. As a mother, I understand what my child wants. She may not be able to express it, but she feels the absence of her father."
Washim Sheikh’s mother, Josna Begum, recounted, "I fed my son lunch before he left. He told me, ‘Mother, I am going to check on my shop; if it catches fire, it will be destroyed.’ Hearing this, I didn’t stop him. I fed him, but my child never returned. Now, my younger son runs the business. But the way Washim used to manage it, it’s not the same anymore. I always feel like he has gone somewhere and will come back. We have no home in our village; our house was lost to the river. We moved to Dhaka a long time ago. His father also used to run a business in Gulistan. We have received nothing from the government so far; only our relatives have provided some help. When my son was alive, we lived in a three-room flat. Now, we live in a tin-shed house. We used to pay 10,000 taka in rent; now, we pay 5,000. How will we manage this much money?"
Washim’s sister, Tamanna, described the events of that day: "On July 18, after having lunch, my brother left to check on his shop in Shanir Akhra. He used to regularly provide water to the protesting students. Four months before my brother's death, my father suffered a stroke and passed away. My father used to run a business in Gulistan. That afternoon, at 5 PM, I received a call informing me that my brother had been shot. Students rescued him and took him to Dhaka Medical College. Upon hearing this, we rushed to the hospital, searching for him everywhere. An hour later, we found him in the morgue. There were countless bodies there. A gunshot had blown off one side of his skull. The next day, after overcoming several hurdles, we received his body. He died in front of Kazla Bridge.
"He had a small shop selling pants on the sidewalk, and that income supported our family. He left behind his mother, wife, and child. We are three brothers and two sisters; he was the middle child. He passed away, leaving behind his only child. Just four months after our father’s death, we lost our brother. Our family hadn’t even recovered from one tragedy before another struck. Now, when I see his child, my heart breaks. Before she could even understand the world, she lost her father. He adored her dearly. Now, my mother, sister-in-law, and niece are struggling immensely. My mother is ill, and my sister-in-law is struggling to raise her child. We have received no assistance from the government so far."
Brief Profile of the Martyr
Name: Washim Sheikh
Profession: Small Business Owner
Date of Birth: 1986
Father: Awlad Hossain
Mother: Josna Begum
Date of Injury and Martyrdom: July 18, 2024
Place of Martyrdom: Shanir Akhra, Jatrabari
Assailant: Police
Burial Site: Matuail Graveyard
Current Address: Rahmatpur, Ahmadbag, Jatrabari
Status of Property and Assets: No personal ownership
Recommendations
1. Provide monthly and one-time financial assistance.
2. Ensure the livelihood and sustenance of the wife and child.