Md. Rasel Mia

All around, vast fields stretching to the horizon, in the middle, a green, eye-soothing village like a green island. Every day, amidst the chirping of birds at dawn, the crimson sun rises. The grazing fields and the wide sky are filled with the sound of the shepherd's flute. Dulalkandi is such a village, rich in natural beauty. In this village, on September 6, 1992, Shaheed Md. Rasel Mia was born to Md. Hasan Ali and Mosa: Asia Begum. The Brahmaputra River, flowing beside the village, joins the Meghna River near Ashuganj. Here he spent his carefree childhood. After starting his education at a school near the village, he was admitted to Dulalkandi Dakhil Madrasa. After successfully passing the Dakhil examination from there, he was subsequently admitted to a local college. Then, in search of work, he came to the capital, Dhaka.
Fearless Rasel's Immense Self-Sacrifice
After the first phase of the movement that started in February 2018, the second wave of the movement began on June 5, 2024. On this day, the High Court declared the government circular issued on October 4, 2018, canceling the quota, illegal. From then on, throughout the month of June, the demand for the cancellation of the High Court's canceled circular and the continuation of merit-based recruitment in government jobs spread to various universities and educational institutions across the country. Students gave the government a deadline until June 30 to meet their demands. They announced an all-out movement if their demands were not met within this time.
From July 16, the protests spread across the country. Throughout the day, there were widespread protests and clashes across the country. On that day, the death of Faisal Mahmud Shanto, a member of the Islami Chhatra Shibir in Chittagong, and Abu Saeed in Rangpur, gave new impetus to the movement. On July 19, students protesting for quota reform announced a 'Complete Shutdown' or nationwide blockade program. On Friday, July 19, 2024, the police force of the autocratic Sheikh Hasina government opened fire in various places across the country on the peaceful sit-in of students and the public during the anti-discrimination student movement. After having breakfast on July 19, Rasel Mia left his house to join the movement. He took a position with the students and the public in Rampura, Dhaka.
The autocratic government’s police and BGB were stationed east of the students' position, near the Rampura Bridge. At approximately 2 PM, the killer force began indiscriminately firing on the unarmed, freedom-seeking students and the public. Students and the public ran here and there to save their lives and find safe shelter. Rasel Mia was among them. Suddenly, a bullet hit the brave Rasel in the leg, and he sat down on the ground. While trying to reach a safe place while injured, another bullet immediately hit the left side of his chest. This time he fell to the ground, writhing in pain. Amidst the indiscriminate firing of the police and BGB, no one had the opportunity to rescue him and take him to the hospital. After some time, when the joint forces withdrew, passers-by rescued him and took him to Mugda Medical. By then it was too late; this is how Md. Rasel Mia's name was written in the list of martyrs. Perhaps his temporary journey on earth ended, but he remained in the history of eternity.
Close Relative about the Martyr
Saiful Haque, the maternal uncle of Shaheed Mohammad Rasel Mia, said about him, "My nephew was simple in nature from childhood. He never got involved in any quarrels or disputes with anyone. He has been living in Dhaka for the last 7-8 years for work purposes, where he is now working as a multimedia representative. He and his only wife Mukta lived there. They rarely had the opportunity to come to the village except for Eid holidays."
Description of the Family's Economic Condition
Shaheed Md. Rasel Mia was the son of his father's second wife, Asia Begum. Besides him, Asia has two more sisters from the same mother. Among them, the elder sister is Shefali Kamrunnahar, and the younger sister is Hasnat Rehena. After Hasnat Rehena's divorce, she is a small business entrepreneur in Dhaka with her only daughter. Md. Rasel Mia used to regularly provide financial assistance to that family as well. Moreover, the responsibility of Asia Begum's maintenance was on her only son, the support of her old age. Therefore, the helpless and bereaved mother of the martyr is distraught after losing Shaheed Md. Rasel Mia.
Personal Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Name: Md. Rasel Mia
Date of Birth: September 6, 1992
Profession or Designation: Employed
Address Information
Permanent Address and Current Address: Village: Dulalkandi, Union: Narayanpur, Upazila: Belabo, District: Narsingdi
Father's Name: Freedom Fighter Md. Hasen Ali
Profession and Age: Agriculture, 84 years
Mother's Name: Mosammat Asia Begum
Mother's Profession and Age: Housewife, 65 years
Wife's Name: Mosa: Mukta
Wife's Profession and Age: Housewife, 28 years
Family's Monthly Income: In the absence of the martyr, the family has no income. Therefore, his mother and wife are in extreme helplessness. Because his father supports the family of his first wife, Mosa: Fatima.
Current Number of Family Members: 4
Other Family Members and Their Relationship with the Martyr
Name: Mosammat Hasnat Rehena, Shaheed's sister
Profession and Age: Small Entrepreneur, 30 years
Name: Mosammat Morium, Shaheed's niece
Profession and Age: Student, 14 years
Time of Injury: September 19, 2024, approximately 2:15 PM
Place of Injury: Under the Rampura Flyover
Identity of the Attacker: Autocratic Hasina's police and BGB
Time of Death: September 19, 2024, approximately 2:45 PM
Place of Death: Rampura, Dhaka
Location of the Martyr's Grave: Dulalkandi Family Graveyard, Belabo, Narsingdi
GPS Location: 24°04'04.7"N 90°52'59.9"E
Regarding the Family's Assistance:
1. It is extremely important to provide one-time financial assistance and some permanent assistance to his mother and wife, who were dependent on the martyr's income.