Photo: Collected
Tota Mia, a 20-year-old Bengali youth, was filled with enthusiasm as he joined the Liberation War in 1971 with a dream to make Bangladesh an independent country.
He was the first martyr in Bogura district, shot dead by the occupied Pakistani forces as he tried to halt one of their army convoys by putting up a barricade on the road.
Despite his sacrifice, Tota Mia's name has not been officially recognized as a freedom fighter even after 52 years of independence.
Tota Mia, who used to work as a rickshaw-puller, hailed from Thengamara area of Sadar Upazila in Bogura.
Leaving his pregnant wife behind, he joined the War of Independence to free his country from the clutches of the occupying forces. It is said that when the West Pakistan forces advanced towards Bogura from Rangpur, Tota Mia cut down roadside trees and used the trunks and branches to create a barricade on the road. At this moment he was shot by the Pakistani forces and embraced martyrdom on the spot.
However, despite his sacrifice, Tota Mia's name has not been mentioned in any freedom fighters' rally, as he was a rickshaw-puller. Even after his martyrdom, his wife got married to someone else, and among his two brothers and two sisters, only the youngest sister is alive today.
Furthermore, no monument has been built in his name, and his grave was neglected for a long time.
Recently, the private development organization TMSS of Bogura, under the direction of its executive director Prof. Dr. Hossain Ara Begum Shahid, has modernized and maintained Tota Mia's grave, covering it with tiles.
However, his name has not been enlisted in Muktijodha's Lal Barta and Gazette, despite invitations and gifts being handed over to his younger brother's wife and sister by the commander of Nishindara Union Muktijoddha Sangsad, Abdur Razzak, with the direction of Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer for the past year.
Former Deputy Commander of Bogura Muktijoddha Sangsad, Professor Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdul Mannan Sarkar, stated that Tota Mia was martyred on the spot and was the first martyr in the freedom struggle in Bogura. Yet, even after 50 years of the independence war, his name has not been gazetted. Professor Md. Nazrul Islam, Chairman of Bogura Ethnic Minority Research Council, described Tota Mia as extremely brave and indomitable. He pointed out that when the army pointed their guns at Tota Mia, the brave youth pointed the axe in his hand, and the army fired immediately, resulting in his martyrdom.
It is disheartening that despite Tota Mia's sacrifice and bravery, he has not been officially recognized as a freedom fighter even after 52 years of independence. His name has not been included in important documents like Muktijodha's Lal Barta and Gazette, and his grave was neglected for a long time. It is high time that the authorities and the society recognize and honor the contributions of Tota Mia and other unsung heroes of the Liberation War.
They deserve to be remembered and respected for their sacrifices in the fight for Bangladesh's independence. It is important to erect monuments, preserve their graves, and include their names in official documents to ensure that their legacy lives on and inspires future generations. Tota Mia's bravery and sacrifice should never be forgotten, regardless of his occupation or background, and he should be recognized as a valiant freedom fighter who gave his life for the cause of Bangladesh's independence.
TDM/MI
