8-year-old Jerin’s plea for her stepmother’s release, UNO office with placard around her neck

Only eight years old. At this age, children are supposed to have books, notebooks or toys in their hands. Yet, at that age, baby Jerin has rushed to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) office to appeal for her mother's release by hanging a placard around her neck. On Sunday (June 28) morning, when she went to the Kotalipara Upazila Nirbahi Officer's office in Gopalganj, it was seen that Jerin was sitting silently with a placard around her neck. The placard read, "I want my mother and 8-month-old brother to be released from jail." It is learned that on May 20,...

৫৭

Only eight years old. At this age, children are supposed to have books, notebooks or toys in their hands. Yet, at that age, baby Jerin has rushed to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) office to appeal for her mother’s release by hanging a placard around her neck.

On Sunday (June 28) morning, when she went to the Kotalipara Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s office in Gopalganj, it was seen that Jerin was sitting silently with a placard around her neck. The placard read, “I want my mother and 8-month-old brother to be released from jail.”

It is learned that on May 20, the Kotalipara police arrested her stepmother Aklima and sent her to jail through the court on charges of torturing baby Jerin. At that time, Aklima’s 7-month-old breastfed son also went to jail with his mother.  Since then, the family has been living in uncertainty with their three sisters.

Zerin said in a tearful voice, “I have been suffering a lot since my mother went to jail. My younger brother is also in jail. He doesn’t understand anything. My mother has realized her mistake. I want my mother and my younger brother to come back home. We all want to be together.”

Zerin’s father, Munna Molla, said, “What has happened has happened. The family has completely broken down. The seven-month-old son is growing up in jail, and the three daughters at home are suffering without their mother. We respect the law. However, if the court grants bail considering the humanitarian aspect, then the family will have a chance to return to normal. I am a small van driver and do not have much income. All in all, the entire family is now in the dark.

Neighbor Shahnaz Begum said, “I see Zerin crying for her mother every day. This child’s longing hurts us too.  The law will run its course, but the issue of children needs to be looked at humanely.”

Kotalipara Journalist Forum President Moniruzzaman Sheikh Jewel said, “Jerin’s application proves how deep forgiveness, compassion and love can be in the heart of a child. The case is sub-judice, so the court will make the final decision. However, the future of the 7-month-old breastfed baby and three girls deserves to be considered from a humane perspective.”

“Ensuring the best interests of the child is the responsibility of the state. Along with the court’s decision, the issue of the children’s mental and social security also needs to be taken seriously.”

However, on Saturday, as the Upazila Executive Officer was on official business at the district headquarters, Jerin could not meet him.

On the one hand, a case under trial, and on the other hand, a child’s forgiveness and desire to be returned to his mother – standing between the two realities, the small placard hanging around Jerin’s neck silently leaves a big question: How can the best interests of the child be ensured?