Md. Arif

"My brother Abu Saeed has been martyred.
If I am also get martyred, then bid me farewell with a smile."
Shaheed Md. Arif was born on March 23, 2007, in Lalchanpur Ward No. 8 of Lordhardinge Union under Lalmohan police station in Bhola district. He was born before and after 5 siblings to his father Md. Yusuf and mother Farida. Mr. Yusuf does not have any own or ancestral homestead. For this reason, after marriage, he took residence at his father-in-law's house. His family comprising his wife and six children was living in a state of 'running out of all necessities'. Shaheed Arif left home and went to Dhaka while he was a student in order to help his aged father and also to facilitate the studies of his sisters.
A soldier fighting in the battle of life, Shaheed Arif
Arif's father found it very difficult to run the eight-member family by cultivating land by taking lease from others. After arranging marriage of three elder daughters one by one, when he became old and frail, Shaheed Arif took over the responsibility of the family. Shaheed himself became the dream companion of continuing the education of his two younger sisters along with his sick father. Leaving the village, he came to Dhaka and started working as an employee in his own cousin's rice shop. On the other hand, the personal studies of the talented Shaheed Md. Arif, who showed perseverance in every step of his life, were also going on. At that time, he was a second-year student of Alim in a local senior Fazil Madrasa in Lalmohan police station of Bhola district.
Shaheed Arif in protest against discrimination
In the face of the strong quota reform movement, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular on October 4, 2018, abolishing the quota system for recruitment in government jobs from 9th to 13th grade, according to the instructions of the autocratic Hasina. Later, in a writ filed, the High Court gave a ruling on December 6, 2021, after a preliminary hearing. After the final hearing, the High Court declared the rule absolute (appropriate) and gave a verdict on June 5. And this year, on June 5, the court declared the circular abolishing the freedom fighter quota in direct recruitment (9th to 13th grade) in government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions and various corporations as illegal. The next day, students protested and rallied under the banner of general students of Dhaka University in protest against the cancellation of the circular. This logical movement against discrimination spread like wildfire. Shaheed Md. Arif himself used to join the movement during breaks from work at the hotel.
When he said his last goodbye
From the very beginning, the police, who had turned into domesticated animals of the autocracy, and the terrorists of the Awami League's allied organizations were aggressive to suppress the unarmed students of the anti-discrimination student movement. The Awami League and its terrorist forces openly attacked the peaceful human chain program of the students in Dhaka with indigenous weapons. The movement spread across the country. On Tuesday, July 16, Abu Saeed, one of the coordinators of those who were agitating for quota reform at Begum Rokeya University, was martyred. He was a 12th batch student of the English department. On July 16, during the movement, Abu Saeed stood in front of the police with his arms outstretched. The police shot at the unarmed Abu Saeed. Abu Saeed fell to the ground by police bullets. The picture of the protesting Abu Saeed with his arms outstretched was printed in social media and newspapers at home and abroad. The whole of Bangladesh became turbulent at the death of Abu Saeed. The bugle of the movement sounded all around and it has motivated Md. Arif as well. He called his father at home. According to his father, his last words were, my brother Abu Saeed has been martyred. If I am also martyred, then bid me farewell with a smile. After that, he could not say anything more.
The heartbreaking incident of that day
When the student movement was called, Arif went to the movement that day as usual. The day was July 19, around three in the afternoon. At that time, students and the public were advancing with a peaceful procession in the Jatrabari area. The police and Jubo League terrorists of the autocracy blocked the way. Indiscriminate baton charge, tear shells, pellet bullets, rubber bullets, hand grenades and gunshots were fired on the unarmed people. Those who were leading the movement were targeted and killed from tall buildings. Countless fresh lives were killed by bullets fired from helicopters with state-of-the-art weapons. In such a heated situation, Arif encouraged the students and the public to take shelter in a safe place. He arranged for the injured to be rescued and taken to the hospital. Arif's activities caught the attention of the killer police and the autocratic terrorist forces. The streets became bloody due to their sudden attack from all sides. In such a moment, Md. Arif fell to the ground with bullet wounds. An adjective 'martyr' is added to his name!
Devout Shaheed Arif
He used to offer prayers regularly. He always had a good relationship with the worshipers of the mosque. Recalling the memories of Shaheed Arif, his shop owner and cousin, Shahabuddin, said, "Arif used to offer prayers regularly. In my absence, he used to run my shop. His trustworthiness was remarkable."
Overall condition of the family and recommendations
First proposal: They are a landless family. In that case, the family would be helped if land and a habitable residence could be arranged.
Information about Shaheed Arif at a glance
Full Name : Md. Arif
Date of Birth : March 23, 2007
Place of Birth : Bhola District
Professional Identity : Student
Class : Alim Second Year
Institution : Latari Senior Fazil Madrasa, Lalmohan, Bhola
Permanent Address : Village: Chandpur, Union: Lord Hardinge, Upazila: Lalmohan, District: Bhola
Address while staying in Dhaka : Mohalla: Birbagicha 4th Road, Thana: Jatrabari, District: Dhaka
Father's Name : Md. Yusuf
Father's Profession : Farmer
Mother's Name : Farida
Mother's Profession : Housewife
Number of Family Members : 8
Family Monthly Income : Approximately 10 thousand Taka