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Letter to Elder Brother after death of Taher

Kishoregonj
18^th August 1976

My dear boro bhaijan,

I cannot think of what to write you today. I cannot realise that Taher is no longer with me. I cannot imagine how I will live after the partner of my life has left. It seems that the children are in great trouble. Such tiny children don’t understand anything. Nitu says, “Father, why did you die? You would have been alive, if you were still here.” The children do not understand what they have lost. Every day they go to the grave with flowers. They place the flowers and pray, “Let me become like father.” Jishu says that father is sleeping on the moon.

Unfortunately Nitu saw father in November, but could not see him up to the last moment, since she was in Kishoregonj. But I am very fortunate. The path Taher has shown me is my chief weapon. When he was alive, he gave me the greatest honour amongst Bengali women. In his death he gave me the respect of the world. All my desires he has fulfilled in such a short time. When the dear friends and comrades of Taher convey their condolences to me, then I think: Taher is still alive amongst them, and will live in them. They are like my own folk. I am proud. He has defeated death. Death could not triumph over him.

I shall describe all that has happened:

On Saturday July 17^th at 3 o’clock the verdict was delivered: the death sentence for Taher. We all became speechless including our twenty-five barristers. People all over the country were shocked because the government could not prove anything. Even the state witnesses admitted the contribution of Taher on November 7^th. The prominent barristers Ataur Rahman Khan, Zulmat Ali, Alam and others became restless. They went to the President condemning the tribunal and declaring it had been set up illegally. Taher told the barristers: “This government which I have brought to power – you are not to request anything from them.” At the same time declaring the death sentence he broke out into a tremendous laughter. All the other prisoners broke down in tears. He told everybody, “If lives are not sacrificed in this way, how will the common people be liberated?” we have made every effort, though Taher has written me, “Don’t bow your head. I do not fear death. If you can feel proud, that is enough.”

In the afternoon on the 19^th he met all of us. He was completely natural and cheerful. He read to us what he had written after the tribunal gave the verdict. To me he said, “It does not befit you to feel sad. After Khudiram I will be the first in South Asia to die like this.” When I told him others had asked me to file a mercy petition, he said, “Is that to bring me the illusion of life? Is my life smaller than the life of Sayen and Zia?”

He gave us so much courage that we came out laughing as well. We did not know this was our last meeting. All politicians, teachers of the country, as well as foreigners made requests to the government. But the authorities did not have the guts to let Taher live. They have made Taher transcend time, they made him immortal.

All the brothers of Taher were with him: Yusuf, Belal, Monu. On the 20^th in the evening Taher was informed that on the 21^st, early in the morning at 4 o’clock, the death sentence would be carried out. He accepted their news and thanked those who had to deliver the message. And then he took his dinner completely normally. Later the Moulvi (priest) was brought and asked him to seek absolution for sins. He said, “I am not touched by evils of your society, nor have I ever been. I am pure. You go now. I wish to sleep.” He went to sleep quietly. At 3 o’clock at night he was woken up. He asked how much time was left. After knowing the time he cleaned his teeth and shaved himself and bathed. All those present came forward to help him. He forbid them to do so saying, “I don’t want you to touch my body which is pure.”

After his bath he told the others to prepare tea and to cut mangoes we had given. He himself put on the artificial limb, shoes and pants. He put on a beautiful shirt, his wristwatch, and combed his hair carefully. After that he took tea, mangoes and smoked cigarettes with all those present. Looking at his courage all burst into tears about the death sentence of such a man. He consoled everybody, saying: “Come on, laugh. Why are you so gloomy? I had wanted to make the face of the distressed bloom with smiles. Death cannot defeat me.” He was asked whether he had any wish. He said, “In exchange on my death – the peace of the common man.”

After that Taher said: Is thee any time left? They answered: a little bit. He said: In that case I shall recite a poem to you. He read out a poem about his duty and his feelings. And then he said: All right, I am ready. Go ahead. Do your duty. He went towards the gallows and taking the rope in his own hand he put it around his neck. And he said: “Good-bye countrymen. Long Live Bangladesh! Long Live Revolution!” He told them to press the button, but nobody came forward. He said: “Why, don’t you have courage?” Then somebody did it. It was all over. His brothers were shown.

No one amongst the 7,500 prisoners of the jail took any rice that day. We were given the body at 2:50. In the midst of the strictest security a car was taken inside the jail, and the body lifted into it. After that 5 trucks and buses filled with heavy security guards escorted the body to the helipad and lifted him onto a helicopter. It was 7:50 in the evening. He was buried in the family graveyard.

A special camp was set up and the grave was guarded for 21 days. They fear even the dead. He has left us, but he has left behind a rich legacy. In performing his great task to mankind he came upon both poison and nectar. He drank the poison and left us the nectar. Although it is total darkness all around me and I cannot find my moorings, and am lost, yet I know this distress is not permanent, there will be an end. When I see that the ideals of Taher have become the ideals of all, then I will find peace. It is my sorrow that when that day of happiness comes, Taher will not be there.

Affectionately,

Lutfa