Md. Rakib

Shaheed's Profile
Shaheed Md. Rakib was a brave soldier of the newly independent country. He was born on March 2, 1998, to Abul Hossain Molla and Kohinur Begum. His home is in East Char Madraz village, Charfashion Thana, Bhola district. Md. Rakib's birth brought a wave of joy to the family of his parents, Abul Hashem Molla and Kohinur Begum. Mother Kohinur Begum raised her son through hardship, always maintaining a smile. Due to family constraints, he could not pursue his education far. Md. Rakib was known to everyone in the area as extremely polite, humble, always smiling, and helpful. He was one of four family members including his parents and a brother. He was always vocal against discrimination in society. He actively participated in the anti-discrimination student movement. He lost his life at the hands of the government's fascist police force and the notorious terrorist group Chhatra League. He was a symbol of his father's ideals and the love of people from all walks of life in society.
Background of the Movement
From the very beginning of Bangladesh's creation, the people have been the victims of various injustices, exploitation, oppression, and cruel tyranny. The freedom-loving people of this country have repeatedly stood up against such atrocities in response to the demands of the times. At the same time, the students have expressed solidarity with the struggling masses with roars of protest. Moreover, glorious history is witness to the fact that movements and struggles have always originated through students during times of crisis in the country.
The Awami League's misrule, vote-rigging, corruption, murders, injustice, and oppression over 15 long years had created a negative reaction in the public mind. The Awami government again began to conspire to re-establish the quota system. In 2018, Sheikh Hasina accepted all the demands in the face of strong student protests, but in her heart, there was a volcano of hatred. Therefore, after consolidating power in a one-sided election without opposition in 2024, the Hasina government again wanted to bring back the quota system.
Continuous protests began on July 1 for the reform of quotas in government jobs. This non-violent movement turned violent on July 15. In the movement, armed killer groups of Chhatra League, Jubo League, Swechasebok League, and police, RAB members began attacking unarmed students and the public. After the Martyrdom of Abu Saeed in Rangpur, the movement turned into a mass movement. The quota reform movement gradually turned into a movement of the general public. It spread across the country as a movement of anti-discrimination students and the public.
Initially, the peaceful movement of ordinary students gradually moved towards an uprising against the fascist government. Gradually, this movement was not limited to students; it became a huge mass uprising of the country's general public. People of all castes, religions, and creeds expressed solidarity with this uprising and took to the streets. Faced with the wrath of the angry masses, the head of the autocratic government, Sheikh Hasina, was forced to resign on August 5. But before resigning, she left behind countless evil deeds of her vile and distorted mind. As part of this, armed forces were unleashed on the protesters and many innocent people. Unarmed, oppressed people were was being martyred by their bullets.
Description of the Incident of Martyrdom Related to the Shaheed
Chhatra League is the name of a nationally notorious and terrorist force. There are examples of suppressing, oppressing, torturing students with different opinions, and killing people in broad daylight. No one knows how a student organization can be so terrible, cruel, merciless, and ruthless. In the anti-discrimination student movement, Md. Rakib was a soldier who risked his life. August 5 was a cursed day for him. On this day, after having lunch, he organized other students and joined the movement. The city turned into a procession. He led from the front row. Moreover, that day was the "Dhaka Cholo" (March towards Dhaka) program of the anti-discrimination student movement.
In response to the call of the program, millions of people from all over the country traveled towards Dhaka. He and his younger brother joined those students and the public. If the Hasina government resigned by two o'clock on the 5th, the students and the public would start a victory procession. The police started firing indiscriminately at that procession. Md. Rakib's chest was hit with bullets. Although his younger brother survived, his elder brother Rakib fell into the lap of death. He said goodbye forever in front of the Jatrabari police station and embraced Martyrdom. His dream of becoming a Shaheed and his self-sacrifice have made him memorable to all levels of people in the area. We pray that Allah Almighty grant him the status of a Shaheed.
Feelings of Close Relatives and Friends about the Shaheed
Md. Rakib was always vocal against injustice and oppression from his childhood. Neighbors say that he was a son to be proud of for the area. He was polite, humble, modest, and a dutiful son to his parents. He always stood by the poor and helpless people. Another neighbor says, I have never seen such a polite boy in my life. I don't know of him ever misbehaving with anyone. He was involved with social and cultural organizations. He actively participated in the movement by connecting everyone with the anti-discrimination movement. His only younger brother says, my brother was simple, straightforward, and a beautiful person at heart. Regarding the Shaheed, his mother Kohinur Begum says, a year ago, my husband died of cancer. Since then, my son Md. Rakib has taken full responsibility for the family. But with Rakib's death, my family has come to a standstill. I want justice for this murder.
Family's Economic Condition
Md. Rakib's family was financially disadvantaged and middle class. What his father, Abul Hossain Molla, earned was spent on Md. Rakib and his only younger brother. The family spent their time hoping that their son would take responsibility one day. In the meantime, his father passed away. The entire responsibility of the family fell on Md. Rakib's shoulders. He also took a job at Pran Company. Things were going well with his mother and younger brother. His mother says, she never even imagined that her heart's treasure would leave like this. Md. Rakib's family has become completely helpless. Currently, there is no one left to earn for the family. The helpless mother is living a miserable life with her young son.
A Glimpse of the Shaheed’s Personal Information
Name : Md. Rakib
Birth : 02/03/1998
Father : Abul Hashem Molla
Mother : Kohinur Begum
Permanent Address : Village: East Char Madraz, Union: Char Madraz, Thana: Char Fashion
District: Bhola
Profession : He worked at Pran Company
Place of Incident : In front of Jatrabari Police Station
Time of Injury : 05/08/2024 3 PM
Time of Martyrdom : 05/08/2024 3 PM
Type of Injury : Gunshot wounds to the body
Assailant : Autocratic Hasina's killer police
Current Location of the Shaheed's Grave: East Madraz Family Graveyard
Proposals:
1. Assistance can be provided to cover the younger brother's education expenses.
2. A one-time financial grant can be given.