Birangana Tepri Rani laid to rest with state honour in Thakurgaon

Tepri Rani, a recognised Birangana of the 1971 Liberation War, was laid to rest with full state honour in Thakurgaon on Wednesday, as grief swept through her village following her death at the age of 72.

Tepri Rani, widely known as a beloved figure in Balidwara village under Nanduar union of Ranishankail upazila, died on Tuesday night while undergoing treatment at Pirganj Upazila Health Complex.

Her funeral rites were held on Wednesday morning in her native village with a guard of honour provided by the upazila administration and police.

Among those present were Ranishankail Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Khadiza Begum, Ranishankail Police Station Investigation Officer Rafiqul Islam, freedom fighters and local dignitaries.

Tepri Rani was the daughter of late Madhudas Roy of Balidwara village. She had long been suffering from age-related illnesses.

According to local residents and family members, Tepri Rani was only 17 years old in late April 1971, when the brutality of the war spread across the region. In a desperate attempt to save the lives of other family members, her father was forced to hand her over to a Pakistani military camp.

Family members said there were no words exchanged between father and daughter at that moment, only silent tears and fear.

She was subjected to torture by Pakistani forces for seven consecutive months and sacrificed her honour to protect the lives of her family members during the Liberation War.

After the country achieved independence, she returned home while pregnant. However, even after independence, society failed to accept her. She reportedly faced pressure from different quarters to terminate the unborn child, but her father stood firmly beside her.

Later, her son Sudhir Barman was born. Yet social stigma continued to haunt them, as Sudhir was often insulted during childhood with derogatory remarks linking him to Pakistani soldiers. He now works as a van driver.

After years of neglect, Tepri Rani received official recognition as a Birangana in 2017. The following year, her story of sacrifice became widely known across the country.

Local freedom fighter Riazul Islam said Tepri Rani was not only a Birangana but also a living history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War.

“Her life reminds us of the immense sacrifices made by women for the country’s independence,” he said.

Her son Sudhir Barman said his mother endured immense humiliation because of him, but her sacrifice for the country could never be forgotten.

“After my mother received recognition as a Birangana in 2017, some relief finally came into our lives,” he added.

UNO Khadiza Begum said the state honoured Tepri Rani with a guard of honour and that the nation would remember her contribution with deep respect.