Kolkata: He died mysteriously almost three years ago, but few in Kolkata have forgotten Rizwanur Rahman who had married a Hindu girl and paid for it with his life.
Now His older brother Rukbanur is now fighting the civic polls on a Trinamool ticket because the party, he says, backed him all the way in his fight for justice for Rizwan.
"When Rizwan was there, I was never into politics or political rallies. But things have changed, circumstances have changed and there is a compulsion for me also to give back something to the public, the common man who has supported the Rizwan cause. It is time to give something back from myself," he said.
But raining on Rukbanur's parade is one of his own uncles, Akhilur Rehman, who was very much part of the battle for justice for Rizwan but is now upset that Rukbanur is giving that battle a political colour.
Akhilur is fighting as an independent candidate.
"Because Rizwan has been made an election issue, I am protesting. Why is Mamata Banerjee's party using this issue? The way Rukbanur is being used is wrong. Rukbanur should have stayed apolitical and worked. He would have been more respected then. Everyone would have supported him. Now he has the support of only one party, the Trinamool," he said.
Besides his uncle, Rukbanur also has to contend with the sitting RSP Councilor and a Congress rival. He knows there is a sympathy wave for Rizwan, but Rukbanur is not willing to rest on such a tragic laurel.