Woman Sits in Hunger Strike with Marriage Certificate Outside Husband's Home in Kurigram's Rajarhat

A young woman named Sadia Akter Mim, 21, has sat in a hunger strike outside her husband's home in Puthikata village of Rajarhat Sadar Union, in Kurigram's Rajarhat upazila, demanding recognition as his wife. She alleges that, even though she holds the marriage certificate, she is not being recognised.

The incident took place at noon on Wednesday (11 November) in Puthikata village. It is alleged that, after hearing of Mim's hunger strike, her husband and his family members locked the house and left for elsewhere.

Sadia Akter Mim is the daughter of Abu Said Mia of Mirer Bari Farazipara village in Chhinai Union, Rajarhat upazila. She claims Imdadul Haque Riyad, 24, son of Yusuf Ali of Puthikata village, as her husband.

Mim said her romantic relationship with Riyad began in 2020. On 10 October this year, a marriage deed was completed through a nikahnama at the home of Kazi Md Faizar Rahman in Panchagram Union of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila. A dower of Tk 1.3 million was set.

She also said they had been married earlier, in 2023. But Riyad's family did not accept that marriage because of her young age.

According to Mim, even after the marriage Riyad has refused for the past month to recognise her as his wife. Under family pressure, Riyad is avoiding her. Finding no other way, she came to her husband's home with the marriage certificate and various proofs of the relationship and sat in a hunger strike. She also said she would choose suicide if she did not get recognition and her rights.

As news of Mim's hunger strike spread, it created a stir in the area. Local people said that after the girl arrived at the house, Riyad's family members locked the house and left. In their view, both are adults, so they should be allowed to decide for themselves, and the matter should be verified to ensure the girl's future and safety.

Neighbour Haider Ali said the girl arrived at noon and also entered the boy's house. But she was moved away by trickery, and the boy's parents locked the house and left. Even after night fell, there was no trace of them, he said.

Abduss Salam of the same village said the girl has the marriage certificate. She also brought proofs that she had spoken with the boy for a long time. In his words, the boy wants this girl, but he fled under family pressure.

Attempts were made several times to contact the accused Riyad and his family members by mobile phone about the matter, but their comments could not be obtained.

Rajarhat police station officer-in-charge Mamunur Rashid said he did not know about the hunger strike incident. However, if anyone files a written complaint about the matter, legal action will be taken after an investigation, he said.