Md. Nazrul Islam

Md. Nazrul Islam was born on October 15, 1988, in Barai Bhag of Raiganj, Sirajganj District. The son of a poor farming family, Nazrul Islam faced the harsh realities of life from an early age. His father, Md. Jamal Sheikh, was a farmer, and his mother, Joygan Begum, was a housewife. Due to family financial crisis, Nazrul's education stopped in childhood, but he never backed down from overcoming the adversities of his life.
A Struggling Life Md. Nazrul Islam was born on October 15, 1988, in Barai Bhag of Raiganj, Sirajganj District. The son of a poor farming family, Nazrul Islam faced the harsh realities of life from an early age. His father, Md. Jamal Sheikh, was a farmer, and his mother, Joygan Begum, was a housewife. Due to family financial crisis, Nazrul's education stopped in childhood, but he never backed down from overcoming the adversities of his life.
To support the family, he moved to Gazipur, where he started working as an assistant cutter in a garment factory called TM Fashion Limited. He joined this institution on November 9, 2021. While working there, he dreamed of building a stable life for his family. He was living in a small house in the Out Para area of Gazipur. His family included his parents, wife, and siblings, including a brother named Md. Amirul, who is a weaver by profession.
Even in a difficult life of struggle, he was vocal against the injustice and discrimination of the society. On July 20, 2024, he participated in the anti-discrimination movement of students and the public in Gazipur. That day was a Saturday when Shaheed Nazrul Islam joined the protest procession at 11:30 AM. When they reached in front of Munni Sarkar's house in Gazipur, the police indiscriminately fired on the peaceful students and the public.
The procession took shelter in a nearby graveyard after being chased by the police. But the police went there and fired. Shaheed Nazrul Islam was seriously injured when he was shot from close range and died on the spot. His death is a day of mourning not only for his family but also for the country. Shaheed Nazrul Islam sacrificed his life while fighting against discrimination. His sacrifice will forever be immortal in the history of Bangladesh's movement and struggle.
Description of the Incident
Nazrul had duty on Friday, July 19, 2024. He did not know that the office was closed due to the first curfew across the country on the day of the incident, Saturday. A message came on the phone that the office was closed. He had brought groceries from the market. While leaving, he said, "I am going to war." That was the last word.
July 20 was a black chapter in the history of Bangladesh. Under the orders of the autocratic government, the army was deployed and a nationwide curfew was imposed. The movement of ordinary people was also suspended, as if the country had become a bloody prison. This cruelty of the state forces had stunned the common people of the country.
On that day, as part of the anti-discrimination student movement, Shaheed Nazrul Islam joined the protest procession with thousands of students and the public. They all took to the streets to peacefully realize their rights against the injustice and discrimination of the government. At 11:30 AM, he was peacefully protesting in front of Munni Sarkar's house in Gazipur Chowrasta. But a cruel incident started there. At one point in the movement, when the procession reached in front of Munni Sarkar's house, the police unleashed by the autocrat Hasina suddenly started attacking. At first, there was a chase and counter-chase between the protesters and the police. The situation gradually became heated and the leaders and workers of the procession were forced to take shelter in a nearby graveyard. This shelter could not provide security to the protesters.
Nazrul Islam and those who took shelter in the graveyard thought that they might be saved from police bullets by going there. But the cruel attack of the police did not leave them behind even there. The killer Hasina's police force entered the graveyard and fired directly from close range. Nazrul Islam was shot and fell there. He died there, along with his dreams, hopes, and aspirations for freedom.
The death of Shaheed Nazrul Islam is a heartbreaking chapter. His life was lost in a peaceful movement by the bullets of the cruel police, which saddened the entire nation. This brutal massacre inspired the people of the country to build a stronger resistance. Nazrul Islam's sacrifice will be an example in favor of the demand for justice. The death of Shaheed Nazrul Islam bleeds not only a family but also the heart of a nation. His sacrifice will be a symbol for all those who are inspired by the spirit of independence, which is never to be forgotten.
Relatives' Feelings About the Shaheed
The Shaheed's father-in-law said, "What can I say about him; it cannot be finished by saying. He was a very good person. There is no one like him. He treated my daughter very well, kept her well. I have not heard of any hardship. He never uttered the word 'tui' except 'tumi' (he was used not to demean others). My daughter is very young, she doesn't even have an ID card. She cries all the time. Her tears cannot be tolerated. Nazrul's manners, humility, and responsibility were incomparable."
Special Regarding the Family
The Shaheed's parents live in the village home. Shaheed Nazrul was childless in his 9 years of married life. His wife was also working in the garment factory. Currently, she has left work and moved to her grandfather's house. Due to the case filed after her husband's death, she left her workplace in Gazipur's garment factory out of fear. There is no house in the father's house. She is staying at her grandfather's house with her parents after leaving the rented house. The Shaheed's wife's family is in a completely destitute state. The Shaheed's father-in-law said, "I sold one percent of land and married off my daughter. Now I have to remarry my daughter, but I am destitute."
Description of the Family's Economic Situation Nazrul Islam was a garment worker. They have some land in their village home. Although they get some money from the crops, the husband and wife used to work in the garment factory. Fearing threats due to filing a case regarding her husband's murder, the Shaheed's wife left her job and moved to her grandfather's house.
Proposals
It is our moral duty to stand by the Shaheed's family out of human and social responsibility. This family is currently facing severe financial crisis. The sacrifice of the Shaheed has set an example for us, which is undeniable. In honor of his memory, we should alleviate the misery of his family.
Firstly, it is necessary to bear the regular expenses for the Shaheed's wife's livelihood. She is currently in a helpless state. We must extend our hand of sympathy in her time of distress.
Secondly, the Shaheed's parents have reached old age. They need monthly and one-time financial assistance so that they can live the rest of their lives comfortably.
In this way, we can fulfill our responsibility towards the Shaheed's family and pay true respect to their sacrifice.
Shaheed's Profile at a Glance
Name : Md. Nazrul Islam
Date of Birth : 15-10-1988
Place of Birth : Raiganj, Sirajganj
Occupation/Designation : Garment Worker
Native District : Sirajganj
Working Institution : Jobeda Tower, TM Fashion Limited
Designation : Assistant Cutter
Joining Date : 09-11-2021
Permanent Address : Village: Barai Bhag, Union: Bahuli, Thana: Raiganj, District: Sirajganj
Current Address : House No: 99, Area: Out Para, Chandna, Block-C,
: Ward-17, Region-06, Thana: Basan, District: Gazipur
Father's Name : Md. Jamal Sheikh
Father's Occupation : Farmer
Mother's Name : Joygan Begum
Mother's Occupation : Housewife
Monthly Income : 12,500/-
Source of Income : Job
Place of Incident : Munni Sarkar's House (Gazipur)
Attacker : Police
Time of Injury : 20-07-2024, 12:00 PM
Date and Time of Death : 20-07-2024, 12:00 PM
Current Location of
Shaheed's Grave : Own Village (near Sirajganj Thana)