“No Regrets, I Took a Bullet for My Country.”

Abdul Ahad (22) was injured by gunfire while participating in an anti-discrimination student movement. He is currently receiving treatment in Ward 1 (Orthopedics) of Kushtia General Hospital. During a conversation at the hospital yesterday evening, he said, “No regrets, I took a bullet for my country.”

Abdul Ahad, who was injured, is the son of Mohammad Shahid and Rozina Begum of Haripur village in Kushtia Sadar Upazila. Rozina works as a housemaid in people’s homes, while her husband, Mohammad Shahid, is at home due to illness. The couple has two sons. The elder son, Abdul Ahad, has been selling spicy puffed rice (jhalmuri) at Thana Mor in Kushtia town for two years. The younger son is in the fifth grade. Ahad got married two years ago, and his wife, Riya Akter, is currently seven months pregnant.

Yesterday, around 6:30 p.m., Ahad’s mother, Rozina Begum, and younger brother, Nur Islam, were seen sitting beside his hospital bed. However, Ahad himself was not on the bed. Rozina explained that he had gone for a walk in the hospital grounds, as doctors advised him to walk for some time every day.

A few moments later, Ahad returned to his bed. A small Bangladeshi flag hung beside his bed, given to him by the students involved in the anti-discrimination movement. Ahad recounted that he had joined the protests on August 4 and was hit by birdshot in his leg and hand, sustaining minor injuries, and remained at home afterward. On August 5, learning that the protests had resumed in town, he went out again. He was severely injured when birdshot hit his leg near the gate of the police station at Thana Mor.

During the clashes and protests in Kushtia town on August 5, over a hundred students were injured, and eight were killed. Since that day, Ahad, who was shot, has been receiving treatment at Kushtia General Hospital. Pointing to his leg, Ahad smiled slightly and said, “See how the birdshot shredded the area above my right knee. After being admitted to the hospital, I saw two injured people die beside me. I’m still alive. I had even forgotten that my wife is seven months pregnant.”

Rozina Begum, sitting next to him, added that many people come to visit the hospital every day, including the students who joined the anti-discrimination movement. They check on Ahad, donate blood, and offer support. The hospital staff and doctors are very attentive and caring. Rozina now works as a housemaid for two hours daily and then returns to the hospital to be with her son. The house where she works provides food for Ahad daily, which she appreciates.

Rafiqul Islam, the superintendent of Kushtia General Hospital, mentioned that on August 5, over a hundred patients arrived at the emergency department. Six were admitted for extended care, and two, including Ahad, remain hospitalized. Ahad has undergone surgery, and his case is being treated with the utmost importance. They hope to discharge him soon.

Recalling the events of the day, Rozina said that her son was shot in the leg around 1:30 p.m. At 8:00 p.m., one of Ahad’s friends called and informed her that Ahad had been shot and urged her to come to the hospital. She rushed there with a neighbor and found her son lying in pain.

When asked if she would seek justice for the incident, Rozina replied, “We are poor people. We are afraid of many things.”