Many victims of the violence in July/August were courageous young women. For instance, Nafisa Hossain Marwa was a dedicated student in her first year of high school in Tongi. Her father, who owned a small shop where he sold tea and snacks to local people, worked tirelessly to support Nafisa’s studies. Despite financial struggles, Nafisa excelled in her academics; her most recent GPA was 4.25.
When the revolution spread across educational institutions, Nafisa became deeply involved, participating in protests almost daily. She joined the “March to Dhaka” with students from a local university. On August 5, she called her father, saying, “Abbu, Hasina has fled!” Her father, frustrated and worried, told her to return home, fearing for her safety. Nafisa replied with determination, “There’s no turning back now, Abbu. Whatever is destined will happen.”
Minutes after this call, Nafisa’s group was attacked by police and other forces, including the hated Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League. She was at the front of the march when gunfire erupted, and she was shot. She was rushed to a local hospital, and her family was notified. Sadly, Nafisa passed away before her father could arrive. When we interviewed her father, he choked back tears while recalling her final words to him: “Abbu, I might not survive, but please take my body home.” Despite all obstacles, Nafisa stood as a courageous warrior on the frontlines, paying the ultimate price. Compensation of Tk. 500,000 could help Nafisa’s family recover by ensuring her younger sister’s education. It could also stabilize the family’s financial situation, allowing her father to improve their living conditions and expand his tea stall for a more sustainable income. While the money cannot heal their loss, it could help them rebuild their lives and honor Nafisa’s legacy by supporting her family’s well-being and future aspirations.