Siraj Sikder

Sirajul Huq Sikder (; 27 September 1944 – 2 January 1975), better known as Siraj Sikder , was a Bangladeshi revolutionary, freedom fighter, engineer, and Marxist–Leninist-Maoist insurgent. His father, Abdur Razzaq Sikder, belonged to a Bengali Muslim zamindar family in Chhaygaon. His sister Shamim Sikder was an eminent sculptor and a professor at the Dhaka University Faculty of Arts. After passing the matriculation examination from Barisal Zilla School in 1959, he was admitted into Barisal Brojomohun College in 1961 for ISc. He obtained a civil engineering degree from the East Pakistan University of Engineering and Technology (now BUET) in 1967. In April 1973, he formed Purba Banglar Jatiya Mukti Front ("National Liberation Front of East Bengal") and declared war on the Bangladeshi government.

Death In 1975, Siraj Sikder confronted Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, demanding action against corruption and criticizing his policies. This led to a violent response where Sheikh Kamal shot Siraj in front of his father, followed by further assault from others. Eventually, Sheikh Mujib and his associates decided to kill Siraj. He was taken to Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini headquarters, tortured, and shot on 2 January. Sheikh Mujib later referred to Siraj Sikder's death in Parliament, uttering a rhetorical question, "কোথায় সেই সিরাজ শিকদার?!" [English Translation roughly implies: "Where is that Siraj Sikder?!"] in a manner perceived by some as boasting and triumphant, implying his involvement and asserting his power, which has been interpreted as reflective of a dictatorial approach. Siraj's father tried to file a case, but due to the oppressive regime, the police refused to accept it.