Md. Farid Sheikh (30) from Munshiganj used to call his parents at least twice a day to check on them. Farid, who worked as a laborer at a fruit wholesale market in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area, was once involved in student politics with the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal (BNP’s student wing). On August 4th, he called his mother four times, each time warning her about the country’s situation and advising his father and younger brother not to leave the house. However, that same day, he went out to join a protest and was killed.
Aleya Begum, the mother of Farid Sheikh, who was killed in the anti-discrimination student movement, shared this information. She said, “He told us to be careful but gave his life in the protest. They shot him in the stomach, tearing his intestines apart. He survived for two days without regaining consciousness and then died on August 6 without saying a word.”
Farid was the son of Sultan Sheikh from Sukhbashpur village in Munshiganj’s Sadar Upazila. He was the eldest of seven siblings. Aleya Begum mentioned, “Farid was born after five daughters. He was my most cherished child. He couldn’t think of anything without me. He joined the protest for the country. The police and supporters of the Awami League killed him.”
Farid’s father, Sultan Sheikh, said, “We are a poor family. Farid borrowed 1.1 million takas to start a business, but after suffering losses, he began working at his cousin’s shop in Jatrabari about a year ago. He managed to repay 200,000 takas of the debt. Now, we can hardly make ends meet. How will we repay the remaining debt?”
Describing the events of the day, Sultan Sheikh said, “On the morning of August 4th, Farid was working at the wholesale market. Around noon, we received a call from his phone. A stranger told us that Farid had been shot in the stomach and was being taken to the hospital. They asked us to come quickly. That day, the situation in Dhaka was dire, with hospitals filled with the injured and the dead. After taking him to several hospitals without receiving treatment, we finally admitted him in an unconscious state to Mugda Hospital. The next day, he briefly opened his eyes and asked about the country’s situation. He died around 11 a.m. on that same day.”
Visiting Farid’s house this Friday morning, a dilapidated tin-roofed house was shown as his home. His parents sat on Farid’s bed, reminiscing about him with his relatives. Also present was Farid’s cousin, Rabiul Islam, who worked with him at the wholesale market.
Rabiul Islam said that since the protests began in July, Farid had been actively participating. He would be busy at the market from early morning until 11 a.m., and after finishing work, he would join the protests without informing them. They had tried to discourage him upon learning about it, but although he would quietly listen, he would join the protests again the next day.
Farid Sheikh leaves behind a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. When asked about his wife and child, relatives mentioned that he was married four years ago. After his death, fearing that creditors might come to their house, his wife, Iti Akhtar, was taken to her parents’ home. She is expected to return for Farid’s 40th-day memorial. Farid’s father, Sultan Sheikh, said, “Those who killed my son have ruined our entire family. I want justice for the murderers.”
Farid’s neighbor and district Chhatra Dal office secretary, Imtiaz Nippo, said, “Farid always participated in any program against the autocratic government with us. After his marriage, due to work commitments, he couldn’t join our programs, but he would always participate in any program in Dhaka.” He added that Farid sacrificed his life in the fight to free the country from autocracy and that his family is now going through a difficult time. He urged everyone to stand by Farid’s family in their hour of need.
