Elder son finally takes home father left under a tree

In Kotalipara of Gopalganj, elderly Shamsul Haque Molla has finally found shelter in his elder son's home following the administration's intervention. On Wednesday afternoon, elder son Azizul Haque Molla took his father to his own house, saying he will take responsibility for his father's upkeep for the rest of his life.

Shamsul Haque Molla lives in Uttar Hiran village of Kotalipara. He has two sons and four daughters. His elder son Azizul Molla works as a hawker, and his younger son Riazul Molla works as a bus driver's helper. Three of his four daughters are married, and the youngest is physically disabled.

On Tuesday morning, his two sons and their wives left Shamsul Haque Molla under a tree near the house. Once the incident became known, it drew an adverse reaction in the area.

Later in the evening, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Saif-ul-Arefin summoned the elderly man's two sons and four daughters to his office and directed them to take responsibility for their father. The children then asked for time until Wednesday afternoon to discuss the matter among themselves. Before that, however, elder son Azizul Haque took his father home on Wednesday afternoon.

Azizul Haque said, "I did not leave my father under the tree; my sisters did. My sisters took my father's property and money. After the money was spent, they left my father under the tree. Yesterday the UNO sir called us. Today I am taking my father home. My father will stay with me until his death." He also said he would sit with his sisters in the presence of local people over his father's money.

According to local sources, Shamsul Haque sold his land a few years ago and performed Hajj, distributing the remaining land among his children at that time. Since then, local people allege, his care declined as his children became busy with their own families.

Yesterday, the elderly Shamsul Haque had said he is now 95 years old, that he raised his children through a life of hardship, and that he has now become a burden to them. Whatever Allah does now, that will happen, he said.

UNO Saif-ul-Arefin said, "After learning about the matter, I went to the spot yesterday. Last night Shamsul Haque was kept at a local maktab. Today his elder son has taken him home. The financial condition of both sons is not good. Even so, someone has to take responsibility for the father.