Md. Jasim

A devout Muslim, Shaheed Md. Jasim, was born into a poor family in Bhola. Struggling financially and orphaned by his father, Jasim worked as an umbrella repairman to support his sick mother and three children. His father dreamed of securing his children's future despite his limited income. The destitute Shaheed Jasim was a man of high moral character. Thus, despite being an umbrella maker, his cherished dream was to raise his children with religious and moral education.
In a cruel twist of fate, as a day laborer dreamed amidst the nationwide quota movement, Shaheed Md. Jasim tragically lost his life to bullets fired by the autocratic government's forces, ending his earthly existence. The horrific and merciless massacre of August 4, 2024, is beyond comprehension. Shaheed Md. Jasim's home now echoes with cries. With a 15-year-old child, Siam, at home, there seems to be no other visible way to earn a living. So, young Siam has abandoned his studies and followed in his father's footsteps.
Shaheed's Profile
A day laborer, Shaheed Md. Jasim, was born on October 14, 1980, in a very poor family in Bhola. Though not financially successful in his profession, Jasim's family was sustained by his religious beliefs and strong moral standing. Like every day, Mr. Jasim went to his shop to repair umbrellas. That day marked the beginning of the non-cooperation movement, one of the programs of the anti-discrimination student-public movement. At exactly 2 PM, the murderous police suddenly opened indiscriminate fire on the freedom-seeking students and the public. The quota reform movement against the autocratic Hasina government sparked a fierce movement to overthrow the government.
Incident of Injury
On August 4, 2024, at 2:00 PM, Md. Jasim left his home for his workplace, the umbrella repair shop, and went to the 3rd Ward intersection of Nobinpur. After arriving at the market in a rickshaw, just as he was getting off the rickshaw to enter the market, without any announcement, mic announcement, or signal, the terrorist BGB forces of the autocratic Hasina government, with the aim of intimidating people, started firing continuously at the general public and moved towards the market. Here, the sycophantic BGB forces of the autocracy opened fire indiscriminately. Among these, suddenly a bullet entered Mr. Md. Jasim's back and exited through his stomach. He immediately fell to the ground. According to eyewitnesses, all this happened before anyone could understand anything. When Jasim was shot, his stomach was pierced, and his intestines came out. He fell to the ground instantly., clutching his stomach.
Efforts to Rescue Shaheed Jasim
The people present at the scene tried to rescue him from the murderous police, but they were unsuccessful the first time. The police were constantly firing. Many others were was being martyred there. Someone known to Shaheed Jasim informed his family. Upon receiving the news, the Shaheed's son and nephew rushed from their home to the scene. While running along the village road towards the market, they saw several bodies lying in various places on the road. As a result, they immediately realized what had happened here. The autocratic police did not hesitate to kill people even after entering a small village road. Siam, the Shaheed's son, and his cousin continued forward, passing one body after another.
At one point, they reached the front of the market. From a short distance, they could see Shaheed Md. Jasim lying on the ground. They were just a few steps away from reaching him. At that moment, the bloodthirsty police fired again. They did not notice the police vehicle of the oppressive forces that was a short distance away. They immediately retreated. It was impossible to move forward in any way due to the continuous firing of the police. The two cousins cleverly went a little further back and got off the road into the bill (water body). Then, crossing the crop fields and going through the forest, they entered through the back of the market. Then, when the sound of police gunfire subsided somewhat, they ran towards Shaheed Md. Jasim.
Just as the two brothers were about to lift the Shaheed from the road, several policemen shouted from behind them. They verbally abused the two of them in obscene language. One of them got angry and threw something at them. Another policeman threatened to shoot and kill them as well and prepared to shoot, but another policeman stopped him. And he signaled the two cousins to quickly take the body and leave. When they themselves were mentally preparing for death next to the Shaheed's body, they were emboldened by such a signal from one of the policemen. Without delay, the two of them took Shaheed Jasim and left for a safe distance.
Rescue and Transport to Hospital
Shaheed Md. Jasim's son Siam and his nephew brought him inside the market. Then they called several ambulances. But no ambulance agreed to come after hearing about the tense situation here. Finally, with the help of a few people from the crowd, Shaheed Md. Jasim was taken to the Sadar Hospital in Bhola district in a van. There, the on-duty doctor informed them that Mr. Md. Jasim had not yet died. He is still alive! But his condition is very critical. To save him, he needs to be taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as soon as possible. Father is alive! Uncle is alive!
Hearing such news from the doctor, the Shaheed's son and nephew felt the greatest joy of their lives. They immediately conveyed this good news to their family. Because earlier, while bringing him in the van, they had called home and informed them of his Martyrdom. Upon receiving the news of Mr. Md. Jasim's death, his family members had immediately set out for the district hospital. On the way, they were happy again at the news of his survival.
According to the doctor's advice, everyone together rented an ambulance, and this time, his family set off with the injured Jasim for Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Police obstructed them
While the ambulance carrying the injured Md. Jasim was passing through Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka, the police and patrolling BGB members there stopped the ambulance. They stopped their vehicle. The murderous police and cruel BGB would not allow the injured, bullet-ridden Md. Jasim to be admitted to the hospital. Jasim's son Siam and his nephews tried to explain to them in various ways. But they would not allow this patient to be taken to the hospital in any way. They said they would lose their jobs if they did. A lot of time was spent trying to explain to these two sycophantic forces of the autocracy in various ways.
The autocratic police and BGB would not allow a patient injured in such a government attack to be admitted to any hospital at all. On the other hand, the condition of the seriously injured Jasim was very bad. He was constantly bleeding from his body. At such a time, a new strategy came to his son Siam's mind to save him. He remembered the traditional character of the Bangladesh police. He immediately called a police officer aside and handed him some money, requesting him to manage the higher officials. With the efforts of that corrupt police officer, it finally worked. Then the ambulance carrying the injured Md. Jasim rushed towards Dhaka Medical again. At around 1:45 PM, the ambulance reached the emergency department of Dhaka Medical.
Obstruction to Hospital Admission
After reaching the hospital, there was obstruction again to admit the seriously injured Jasim. They were very reluctant to admit those injured by the forces of the autocratic government. It seemed as if they had leased the entire country. Seeing these disgusting scenes, when the seriously injured Jasim's son and nephew were about to get angry with the staff on duty, his brother-in-law calmed them down.
Admission Under Inhumane Conditions
When even after much pleading and begging, the hearts of the autocratic officials and employees could not be melted, just as the police and BGB were managed in Shahbagh, the injured Md. Jasim was admitted here in the same way. However, there was a condition that Jasim would not be given any government facilities such as hospital treatment, medicine, or food. He would have to buy everything himself, and whatever happens, no crying can be done here. No one can talk to the media. If there is any deviation from these words, the patient will be immediately expelled from the hospital. Helpless, the family of the injured Md. Jasim accepts all the conditions of the autocracy.
A Horrible Day at Dhaka Medical
After being admitted, the injured Jasim was given primary treatment and initially placed on a general bed, and later on a regular bed. At that time, Dhaka Medical was overflowing with patients. Most were injured in the anti-discrimination student-public movement. There were more patients from July 16th, 17th, and 18th. At that time, there was no direct government ban, so they were admitted. Shortly after admission, the injured Md. Jasim's operation began. He needed 8 bags of blood.
On the one hand, most of the family's relatives were in their village home, and on the other hand, the country's situation was so tense. Therefore, collecting blood or donors had become as impossible as finding a golden deer. Finally, after overcoming many difficulties, despite their best efforts in the face of everything that happened that day, Shaheed Md. Jasim could not be saved.
Funeral and Burial
After Shaheed Md. Jasim's body was brought home, the cries of his wife and children filled the air; the whole house was shaken. Everyone, who were present over there, had only one demand: justice for this murder. Later, after bathing, he was buried after the Maghrib prayer at the Nobipur Talukdar Mosque in the presence of thousands of people.
Feelings of Close Relatives About the Shaheed
Nargis, the Shaheed's wife, says, "After losing my husband, I am very worried about how I will take care of my children. If you help, I will be able to bear the burden of my children."
Shobuj, his brother, says, "I am very distressed by the death of my brother. Who will take care of my nephews? I myself am helpless. If you help, it will be much easier for me to take care of them."
Personal Information of Shaheed Md. Jasim at a Glance
Shaheed's Name : Md. Jasim
Birth : October 14, 1980
Profession : Business
Working Institution : Umbrella Shop
Address : Abu Khalifa Bari, Union: Paur Nobipur Ward No. 3, Thana: Bhola Sadar
District: Bhola
Father : Late Abu Kalam Khalifa
Mother : Bibi Fatema
Place of Incident : Bhola
Assailant : Police
Time of Injury : August 4, 2024, 2 PM
Date of Death : August 4, 2024
Proposals
1. Provide a one-time financial grant to the Shaheed's family.
2. Arrange to bear the cost of the children's education.
3. Arrange a regular monthly allowance.