Md. Rasel Mahmud

Shaheed Md. Rasel Mahmud (22), was born on January 8, 1999, in the small Shiba village, Char Kajal Union, Galachipa Upazila, Patuakhali District. He was known as a meritorious student. Rasel, the child of a poor family, was ambitious from a young age. He dreamt of bringing back beautiful days for his family. His father, Abul Hawlader, is a farmer, and his mother, Rasheda Begum, is a housewife. They are the ideal guardians of the Shaheed.
Rasel's education began at '184 No. Shibarchar Government Primary School,' where he achieved success, including a talent pool scholarship and a GPA of 5. He later completed his SSC from 'Abdus Salam Akon Ideal School' and HSC from Shyampur Multipurpose High School in Dhaka. In the 2023-24 academic year, he was admitted to Sonargaon University for a BA in Bengali.
Rasel, possessing both intelligence and thoughtfulness, was active from the very beginning of the 2024 anti-quota movement. On August 5, 2024, he was shot in the forehead in an unprovoked police attack in front of the Jatrabari police station. His body was identified at Dhaka Medical College on August 6 after his death.
A shadow of mourning descended on Patuakhali upon Rasel's death. His funeral was held at the small Char Shiba Eidgah ground, and he was buried in the adjacent graveyard. Shaheed Rasel Mahmud could not proceed on the path of his dreams; but his struggle and sacrifice will remain in our memory forever. He is an inspiration to the future generations of the country.
Description of the Incident of Martyrdom of Martyrdom
A unique example of humanity, Shaheed Md. Rasel Mahmud became the voice of the dissident populace against the authoritarian government. His life lamp went out on August 5, 2024, a day that might have marked the beginning of a new dawn. Ordinary people around the nation rejoiced in victory on that day following the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina's authoritarian regime. As though a new door of opportunity had been opened for everyone, their cries filled the streets of Dhaka. However, Shaheed Rasel Mahmud and many more like him saw this taste of success turn into a deadly chapter in their lives.
That afternoon was much more than an ordinary afternoon. A revolutionary moment for the people of the country. At around 3 pm, Rasel Mahmud was advancing towards Jatrabari with thousands of people. Jatrabari had then turned into a major center of protest. The assembled people were then gathering in front of the Jatrabari police station, demanding their rights and redressal of injustice. Suddenly a large team of police came out of the police station in a filmy style and started firing indiscriminately. A rain of bullets fell on the innocent, protesting people. Rasel Mahmud was at the forefront of a procession at that moment. A police bullet hit his head, and he fell to the ground instantly.
When he was taken to Dhaka Medical College, the doctors there declared him dead. The bullet injury to his head was so serious that there was no chance of his survival. However, that day was supposed to be a moment of victory for him. His dream was of a new Bangladesh, where there is no place for autocracy, where people can live freely, speak, and establish their rights.
Jatrabari was one of the hottest protest centers in Dhaka that day. During the anti-discrimination movement, this area of Dhaka turned into a meeting place for hundreds of thousands of protesters. On that day, thousands of ordinary people and students surrounded the Jatrabari police station and expressed their protest. Many of them were injured in the brutal attack by the police, some were also killed. The police started firing indiscriminately without any prior warning, as if human life was not a meaningful thing to them. The number of casualties and injured increased rapidly, as if life was just a number.
Most of the casualties were taken to Dhaka Medical College and other hospitals. In that day's shooting, more than three hundred people were injured and many of them were killed. When the bodies of the dead began to reach the hospitals, the atmosphere there was covered in mourning.
Shaheed Md. Rasel Mahmud was a fiery witness to that protest, who sacrificed his life not only for himself, but for the entire nation. He knew that this sacrifice of his would one day be written in golden letters in the pages of history.
Yet, he who dreamt for the people of the country, who was ready to sacrifice his own life, did not even get the chance to enjoy his moment of victory that day. The movement of the masses advancing on the path of liberation was stained with his blood. Even after this cruelty, that afternoon of the fall of the autocratic rule will remain a day of mourning not only for Rasel Mahmud; but for countless innocent victims.
Statements/Feelings of close relatives and friends about the Shaheed
Abu Saleh, the Shaheed's uncle, said, Rasel passed away on August 5, 2024 in Jatrabari. He was a very meritorious student and was studying at Sonargaon University. I hope the people of Bengal will remember the Shaheeds forever. My demand to the government is that the government should give justice to the killing of all the Shaheeds including my nephew as soon as possible.
Description of the family's economic condition
Shaheed Rasel Mahmud's father, Abul Hawlader (63), is a poor farmer who supports his family with his hard-earned income. His elder son Miraj (28) has married and separated. He also runs his own family by farming. The younger son Shawon (16) is now studying in the 9th grade. Abul Hawlader is running Shawon's education and family expenses with his limited income, but it is becoming more difficult for them day by day. The family lives in a house built on someone else's land due to not having their own land, which further highlights the weakness of their financial and social condition.
Proposal: The family needs cooperation
The current position of this family is very critical. Their daily life is very difficult, and there is no guarantee of the future. It is very important to stand by this family so that they can get some relief and Shawon can continue his studies. They need cooperation for various reasons which are mentioned below- Proposal-1: Mother's medical assistance
The Shaheed's mother is suffering from illness. Money is needed for her regular treatment. If treatment is ensured, she will be able to recover and return to normal life with the family again.
Proposal-2: Father's help
Shaheed Rasel's father is an old farmer. Financial assistance is needed for him. It is expected that if a business like a grocery store is started, it will bring prosperity back to the family.
Proposal-3: Younger brother's education expenses
Financial assistance is needed for the younger brother's education so that he can continue his education; it will help to improve the condition of the family.
If these assistances are ensured, the family members will be able to lead a stable life and their chances of improvement will increase.
Shaheed's Information at a Glance
Shaheed's Full Name : Md. Rasel Mahmud
Date of Birth : January 8, 1999
Place of Birth : Patuakhali
Occupation/Position : Student
Home District : Patuakhali Professional Identity: Student Blood Group: O (+)
Address : Village: Choto Shiba, Union: Char Kajal, Thana: Galachipa, District: Patuakhali.
Family Information : Father's Name: Abul Hawlader
Father's Occupation and Age: Farmer, 63 years old
Mother's Name : Rasheda Begum
Mother's Occupation and Age : Housewife, 50 years old
Monthly Income : 5,000 Taka
Source of Income : Agriculture
Information about Siblings : Md. Miraj Mahmud (Elder Brother), Age 28, Occupation: Farmer, Married
Md. Shawon (Younger Brother), Age 16, Class: 9th
Educational Institution : Abdus Salam Akon Ideal School
Other Information :
Place of Incident : Jatrabari
Assailant : Police
Time of Injury : 3:00 PM
Date and Time of Death : August 5, 2024, 3:00 PM
Place of Death : In front of Jatrabari Police Station
Current Location of Shaheed's Grave: His Village, Choto Char Shiba