Debt drives man to murder family and take own life, now father holds 'chollisha' on loan
Around 1,200 relatives and community members attended, coming from nearby and distant villages.
Overwhelmed by debt, Minarul Islam of Bamanshikor village in Rajshahi, ended his own life after killing his wife Monira Khatun and their children Mahim, 14, and Mithila, 3, on the night of 14 August. In a note, he wrote, "We have died under the burden of debt and hunger."
The incident stunned the nation.
Last Saturday, Minarul's father, Rustam Ali, held the traditional "chollisha" (40th-day mourning ritual) for the family at their home in Bamanshikor. The ceremony reportedly cost nearly Tk1 lakh and was funded entirely through borrowing.
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Around 1,200 relatives and community members attended, coming from nearby and distant villages.
Two makeshift pandals were set up in front of and behind Rustam's house, where guests were served rice with lentils and murighonto (fish head and lentil stew).
He said, "Some call this chollisha, others call it foyta. It must be done with the community. I followed the tradition of my ancestors and did it from my heart. Everyone contributes according to their means. I am poor, so I could not serve meat; we served fish, murighonto, and lentils."
Rustam Ali explained the reason for the gathering, "After the four deaths in the family, the house felt heavy. The small children were scared. The ritual helps remove that fear. That is why prayers were held first, followed by food."
Asked about the cost, he said, "It was all borrowed. I have no savings. I plan to repay the debt by selling 15–16 katha of land, one katha at a time. There is no other way."
Local Union Parishad chairman Saeed Ali Murshed said, "From an Islamic perspective, this is not mandatory. But when someone dies, it is customary here to hold such a ceremony. It is a tradition in our area."
