95-year-old Shamsul Haque has six children but no shelter

Haji Shamsul Haque Molla (95) spent his entire life raising his six children with hard work and love. In his final years, he has seemingly become a burden to those very children. Despite having two sons and four daughters, he has found no permanent shelter in any of their homes. After distributing his land among his children, the elderly man now spends his days under a tree beside the house.

Haji Shamsul Haque Molla is the son of one Umed Ali Molla of North Hiran village in the Kotalipara upazila of Gopalganj.

Local residents said Shamsul Haque has two sons and four daughters. His elder son Azizul Molla is a street vendor, and his younger son Reyazul Molla is a bus assistant. Among the four daughters, Maya Begum, Sabina Begum, and Salma Begum are married. His youngest daughter, Kajuli Begum, is physically disabled. Apart from Kajuli, the other five children are busy with their own families and children.

A few years ago, Shamsul Haque sold his land to perform Hajj. At that time, he also distributed the remaining land among his children. However, locals allege that since his wife's death, the children have shown little interest in looking after the elderly man.

For the past few days, Shamsul Haque had been staying at his eldest daughter Maya Begum's house. But on Tuesday morning, Maya Begum took him to his brothers' house. There, the two sons and their wives collectively forced Shamsul Haque Molla out of the house. He was later left under a tree beside the house. When the news spread, it caused outrage among local residents.

Explaining why she could not keep her father in her own home, Maya Begum said her husband is ill. In addition, her physically disabled younger sister Kajuli also lives in her house. Under these circumstances, it is not possible for her to take care of their father.

The middle daughter, Sabina Begum, said their father sold land and gave four lakh taka each to the four sisters. On the other hand, he gave each of the two brothers eight katha of land along with cash. So why should the sisters now take care of their father?

When contacted to learn more about the matter, Shamsul Haque's two sons, Azizul and Reyazul, were not found at their homes. Their wives also declined to comment on the matter.

A neighboring housewife said that even after Shamsul Haque transferred his land to his children, they are not giving him shelter. She said such a situation might not have arisen had he not signed over the land to his children. Such behavior from children is not what any father deserves.

While speaking of his helplessness, Shamsul Haque became emotional. Crying, he said, "Where will I go now, what will I do — I cannot understand anything. Those whom I raised through a lifetime of hardship have now become their burden."

Kotalipara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Saif-ul-Arefin said he has learned of the matter. If the children fail to provide maintenance and care for their father, punitive measures will be taken against them under the 'Parents' Maintenance Act.'