চিলেকোঠার সেপাই : ত্রয়োদশ অধ্যায় আখতারুজ্জামান ইলিয়াস Rooftop Soldier: Chapter 13 Akhtaruzzaman Elias

Abstract

Set against the backdrop of growing political unrest in the end of 1960s Bangladesh (the then East Pakistan), the chapter 11 of the Rooftop Soldier unfolds in a vibrant student-led protest at Victoria Park, Dhaka. Amid chants and speeches calling for justice and autonomy, a range of characters, including student leaders, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens, grapple with the complex socio-political situation. The narrator of the story emphasizes the exploitation of Bengal by West Pakistan, highlighting issues like economic inequality, political oppression, and the denial of rights to the Bengali people. The course of story reflects the protagonist’s, Anwar’s, internal conflict deepens. His struggle to balance personal safety with a desire for meaningful change mirrors the broader societal crisis. The description of the meeting intensifies as slogans echo, and tensions rise between different groups, who are opposing for leadership in the movement. At the heart of the protest is Mokbul Hossein, a grieving father whose son was killed by police gunfire during a recent demonstration. His raw, emotional address becomes a pivotal moment, stirring empathy from the crowd but also causing a brief disruption led by the unconventional person Khijir, who attempts to restore order with humor. The story interweaves personal struggles, political tension, and collective anger, encapsulating the broader struggle for freedom and
identity in a unrestrained time.