Selective sympathy?

The horrific terror attack at the Gulshan café in 2016 left the nation and the world in utter shock. Whatever their motives were, we are all glad to know that the perpetrators were justly served the death sentence. A sense of justice was felt when the news made headlines in Bangladesh and beyond our borders.

However, it is tragic that in the midst of all that followed surrounding the Holey Artisan attack, two employees from the bakery, who were victims of the incident, were somewhat made to be forgotten. They were Saiful and Shaon. According to reports, Saiful, a pizza chef, died during the commando operation on the morning of July 2. His family was denied the right to see his dead body and bury him. Sadly, Saiful was buried along with the gunmen who were killed during the rescue mission. Shaon, a kitchen help, died in police custody a week after the incident. His family alleged that he was tortured to death because the law enforcers suspected his involvement with the terrorists.

Despite the Holey Artisan case chargesheet terming Saiful and Shaon as “victims of accident”, their families have not received any compensation form the government, while it was granted to the families of the other victims—perhaps because Saiful and Shaon came from the lower rungs of the social ladder? Death in a family is undoubtedly tragic; but when those families seek justice and the authorities turn a blind eye, it indeed raises questions. The concerned authorities should take immediate measures to pay compensation to the families of these innocent victims of the heinous attack. The compensation will not bring these two back, but it might provide their impoverished families some financial relief.

Maroof A Rahman, Rajshahi