Today marks the 40th martyrdom anniversary of the great Shahjahan Siraj.
On 22 and 23 December 1984, the Shromik–Kormochari Oikko Porishod (SKOP) had called a 48-hour nationwide strike against the autocratic regime of Ershad. That call was supported and joined by the then Chhatro Songram Porishod, 15 political parties, 7 smaller parties, 17 peasant and agricultural labour organisations, and Shommilito Ainhijibi Porishod. The force of the movement transformed the strike into an unstoppable general shutdown.
To ensure the success of the strike, leaders of the all-party student unity at Rajshahi University took positions at the University Station and Kazla Gate well before dawn. The silence of the misty morning was broken as the procession began—Motihar trembled with slogans and chants.
At that very moment, a train carrying BDR recruits arrived at the university station from Rajshahi city. The BDR members got off and ordered the removal of barricades erected the previous night. Stepping forward to speak peacefully to the procession was Shahjahan Siraj, then General Secretary of the Jasad Student League at Rajshahi University and convener of the Student League’s conference preparation committee.
But instead of dialogue, their voices rose with a violent command:
“Fire at the red shirt! Fire, fire!”
In an instant, bullets rained down. Shahjahan Siraj, wearing the red shirt, became the target. He was struck in the chest and fell to the ground at Rajshahi University Station, the lifeblood of the movement lost. At the same time, another bullet struck newspaper vendor Abdul Aziz on the third-floor balcony of Suhrawardy Hall, where he too became a martyr.
On that day, the blood of students and workers mingled, and 22 December became commemorated as “Student–Worker Solidarity Day.”
On the same day, former student leader and current BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed was seriously injured with a gunshot to the waist, leaving him permanently disabled. We lost our beloved leader Shahjahan Siraj, while Rizvi Bhai had to bear lifelong paralysis.
From the very first day I enrolled at Rajshahi University, I was Shahjahan Bhai’s shadow. Nearly every day, he would say:
“We must revive this broken student league. I will bring everyone from Bogura into the party.”
During the days leading up to the university conference, I was with him constantly. He was the convener of the preparation committee, and I was the head of the publicity sub-committee. Shahjahan Bhai wanted the conference to become a grand festival. After his martyrdom, we were able to realise his dream, though unfortunately, he could not witness it.
When the campus reopened, we were swept away by emotion in remembrance of this great martyr. At that time, I was known as the slogan master on campus. Whenever Shahjahan Bhai came to mind, slogans spontaneously emerged:
“Motihar’s lifeblood, Shahjahan—Shahjahan.”
“Hero of the movement, Shahjahan—Shahjahan.”
“The soul of my life, Shahjahan—Shahjahan.”
“Even in death, you remain immortal, Revolutionary Shahjahan Siraj.”
Countless slogans, countless chants—I may have forgotten many over 39 years, but I have never forgotten Shahjahan Bhai. Every 22 December, my heart grows heavy as I reflect: for the democracy for which hundreds of martyrs shed their fresh blood, has that democracy truly taken institutional form?
Finally, echoing the words of poet Mohon Raihan, we say:
“Not grief, but vengeance today—Rest in peace, Shahjahan Siraj.”
With respect, love, and a vow of fire—our humble tribute to the martyrs.
Author: Editor & Publisher, Khoborwala