Bangabandhu's elder sister
Ashikur Rahman, Her Grandson
On 15 August 1975, Begum Asia Khatun witnessed the assassination of her son Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni and her daughter-in-law Mrs. Arzoo Moni. On that 'black' day of Bangladeshi politics, she not only lost her son, but along with 15 members of her family she lost her younger brother Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Now after three decades she died with the same pain with which she lived. This is because, while she was in her 'death-bed' her second son Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim was not allowed to see her as he was in prison. Sheikh Selim was finally released for a few hours just to see his mother's dead body and attend the burial.As her grandson I do not know what this nation has given her, but I can state that this nation has definitely taken a lot away from her. Even in her late 80s, my grand mother Begum Asia Khatun remembered every bullet that was shot on that night (15 August 1975). She perfectly recalled the dying words of her son and her daughter-in-law, and her only wish was to see the conspirators of 15 August being brought to justice. Yet, she died in vain without witnessing the punishment of the conspirators who assassinated so many members of her family. I have never seen anyone living with so much pain as my grandmother lived with. However, no matter whatever the political turmoil her family is or was suffering from she remained bold and upright. Her personality reflected dignity and motherly affection. To the Awami League veterans of 1971 and 1975, she was a 'motherly' figure. This was reflected in the condolence message of AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed. Her departure is unbearable to those who knew her. Hence, while bearing all the agony associated with her passing, I pray for the salvation of her soul, and humbly request others to do so.
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