Sheikh Russel lovingly recalled by countrymen

Bangabandhu's youngest  son, Sheikh Russel, was born in Dhaka on 18 October 1964. At the time of his death, Russel was a student of Class Four at Dhaka University Laboratory School. According to articles written by those close to the family, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself, Russel did not get much of his father due to the latter's political activities that sent him to jail again and again. His house tutor says that "the kid had sympathy for the poor. He used to give away gifts as donations. Whenever he found any poor being cheated, Russel would take him to his father and complain." Russel had strong determination of mind. In the house tutor Gitali's words: "Once he failed to pass in mathematics in the half-yearly examinations. So (Sheikh) Rehana snubbed him. But when I told him that I would take the poison, he promptly told me to wait until next time [final exams]." "And he did it. Showing the result card, Russel told me not to take poison. 'I've succeeded', he said."

On 15 August 1975, Russel pleaded to the coup leaders that he be taken to his mother, not knowing she had already been killed. "The killers, in a macabre moment. made him walk past the bodies of his close ones. Finally, when he confronted his mother's body sprawled in the lobby, he burst into tears.

 "Take me to Hasu Apa (Sheikh Hasina)," he said. But Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, were abroad at that time,
 "His mind comprised a soulful blend of merit and thoughtfulness," said Sheikh Russel's teacher Gitali Dasgupta, recalling her memories with the youngest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Once I taught something to Russel, he learned it for life, "she said at a webinar organized by the web team of Awami League.
Reflecting on Sheikh Russel, Novelist Selina Hossain said, "I consider him as the child symbolizing the dream of freedom. Since his childhood, he had patriotism inherited from his family."

Actor and Sampriti Bangladesh Convener Pijush Bandyopadhyay, "When the child Russel wanted to go to his mother, the killers brought him to his mother and killed him. It is not an instant decision. It was all well-planned. They knew it very well that the blood of Bangabandhu and Bangamata ran through his body and so he "shouldn't be spared".

Women Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League central committee Meher Afroz Chumki, MP, said, "We don't know what Russel would have become growing up. But we know that his family lived only in service of people. Therefore, we can understand how much the children of this family could contribute had they remained alive."

Prof Nasreen Ahmad, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Dhaka University, said, "The day Sheikh Russel was born, I had the same feeling like Sheikh Rehana that my baby brother was born. When I think of Russel, August 15 flashes through my mind.
 "That was a diabolical moment. We were close enough, heard the ratting sound of firing. Just imagine what went through the mind of that kin. How could they pierce his heart with bullets? How could they be so void of any feeling? Didn't their hands tremble? Didn't their heart shudder? The only prayer I have on this day, 'Wherever he is, let him be in peace."

The 1975 coup leaders led by executed colonel Faruq Rahman and fugitive Coloner Rahid, among others, did not spare Bangabandhu's most loving child, 10-year-old Sheikh Russel. They also killed little Arif Sernibat and Sukanto Abdullah, kin of Bangabandhu, possibly because they were male heirs of the Sheikh family and future leaders.

meaning Russel wanted to live very much and had possibly thought he would survive if he could go abroad to his sisters.
But, instead of having a little mercy of pity on a child begging for his life, they shot him. He was the last person to be killed on that dark night, the most shameful chapter in the country's history. Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son, was the first man to be shot dead.

Muhitul Islam, personal assistant to Bangabandhu, in his deposition to a court in the Banglabandhu Murder case, said that some army men consoled Russel saying that he was being taken to his mother.

Dr M A Wazed Miah, the prime minister's late scientist husband, gave a description of Russel's killing in his book, 'Some happenings surrounding Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib and Bangladesh.

He wrote "Amidst the killing spree, Russel ran downstairs and sought refuge in the Staff Room of the President (Bangabandhu). Abdur Rahman Roma, who had been taking care of Russel for long, held the child's hand at that moment. After some time, one soldier took Russel away saying he would be sent out of this house. Russel cried and begged to spare his life for the sake of Allah. A sentry couldn't stand this heart-touching begging anymore and hid him in the sentry box at the main gate of the house. But after about half an hour, an army Major saw Russel and took him upstairs and killed him in cold blood with a revolver."

For whatever reason Sheikh Russel was murdered, his assassination also testifies the unimaginable brutality of a few beasts disguised as army officers at that time who were hell-bent to wipe-out our Father of the Nation and his family from earth. The sinister attempt to do so, had miserably failed. On the contrary, Sheikh Russel, with his childish charm and innocent looks, appears to be ever glowing under various banners of youth and sports establishments in today's Bangladesh. The killers could not wipe out the bloodline of our Father of the Nation.

Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina is now the fourth time Prime Minister of Bangladesh-who has not only leading the country as a 'Role Model' of development but also pledged to implement the unfinished task of her father to build of development but also pledged to implement the unfinished task of her father to build `Sonar Bangla'. We remember Sheikh Russel with much affection placing him close to our hearts.

Sheikh Russel's merciless killing resonate another sad reality about the vulnerability and insecurity of our children. 50 years on, hundred of our children have become victims of murder, rape, physical and mental torture and in recent times the intensity of torture on our children has become despicable. Over the past five decades Russsel has become the iconic symbol of every single oppressed child of Bangladesh. He not only claims justice for his murder, rather he has become the silent voice demanding rights and justice for our children. Otherwise Russel is the tale of a child's powerful legacy demanding rights and justice.

Let us build a safe and secured society for our children to remove the scar of the brutal murder of Sheikh Russel. Let us take a solemn pledge to love and protect our children's right to live.Sheikh Russel-we badly miss you on this day. May The Almighty bless you in heaven beside your parents and brothers.


 Tarapada Acharjee is a
columnist, tax advisor, General Secretary of Sadhu Nag
Mahasay Ashram, Narayanganj.