Md. Mahim Hossain

Mahim Hossain was born on October 30, 2008. Mahim is the eldest son of Ibrahim Hossain from Bamon Para village in Betbaria Union, Khoksa Upazila, Kushtia. A tenth-grade student at Chandat Secondary School, Mahim was very talented and mischievous since childhood. Mahim, who was also skilled in various sports, was also quite adept at playing football. As the eldest child in the family, he grew up with the love of his uncles, aunts, and everyone else. His father had many dreams for him. He would get a good job and their days of sorrow would end. But in an instant, all his father's hopes were dashed.
Background of the Movement
The context of the anti-discrimination student-public movement that took place in Bangladesh in July 2024 was built around several key issues. Firstly, the inequality and discrimination in the education system: The huge gap between the quality of education and opportunities for general students in various educational institutions across the country had become particularly alarming. The mismanagement of public colleges and the commercialization of private universities created problems for students.
Secondly, economic disparity. The gap between the upper and lower classes in Bangladesh's social and economic structure was widening. Pressure and anxiety among students had increased due to the lack of opportunities for jobs, careers, and economic advancement. Thirdly, the political environment: The government's repression, the lack of freedom of expression, and the surveillance of student organizations created the context for this movement. The students' demands for justice and efforts to ensure human rights further strengthened the movement.
The 15 years of Awami misrule, vote-rigging, corruption, murder, injustice, and oppression had created a negative reaction in the public mind. The Awami government again started conspiring to re-establish the quota system. In 2018, Sheikh Hasina, in the face of strong student protests, accepted all the demands, 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. The continuous movement for the reform of quotas in government jobs had started on July 1.
This non-violent movement turned violent on July 15. In the movement, armed assassins of Chhatra League, Jubo League, Shechashebok League, and police, RAB members started attacking the unarmed student public. After the martyrdom of Shaheed Abu Sayeed in Rangpur, the movement turned into a mass movement. The quota reform movement gradually took the form of a public movement. It spread across the country as a movement of anti-discrimination students and the public. Initially, the non-violent movement of ordinary students gradually moved towards an anti-fascist government uprising. Gradually, this movement was not limited to the 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 misdeeds of her vile and distorted mind. As part of this, the armed forces were unleashed on the protesters and many innocent people. Unarmed, oppressed people were martyred by their bullets.
Joining the Movement
Since the inception of Bangladesh, the people have been the victims of various injustices, exploitation, oppression, and cruelties. The freedom-loving people of this country have repeatedly stood up against such atrocities in response to the demands of the times. Along with them, the students have expressed solidarity with the struggling masses. Moreover, glorious history is witness to the fact that movements and struggles have always been initiated by students during critical times in the country. The students' quota reform movement organized in July 2024 eventually turned into an anti-discrimination movement and gradually began the movement to overthrow the fascist Hasina. Like the rest of the country, Kushtia also erupted in a one-point movement to overthrow the autocratic killer Hasina government. Thousands of students and people, empty-handed, broke out in protests at various points in the city. Shaheed Mahim also participated in that movement with his group; he raised his voice thunderously and began to lead.
Martyrdom
His mother continually prevented him from attending the movement on August 5. "Everyone from school is going, can I sit at home?" Mahim asked, disregarding his most adored and devoted mother's prohibition. If necessary, I shall be martyred. After saying this, he joined the gathering at the upazila headquarters. She was filled with pride that day as she considered the threat to her beloved son's life and the ferocious roar of her heart's treasure against the injustice of the fascist administration. Mahim and his group encountered the murderous cops along the route. Leaving his friends behind, he boarded a bus for Kushtia due to police interference. He joined the agitation in Kumarkhali, a nearby upazila, after getting off the bus there. He fell into the police's tear gas at this point.
He suffered severe injuries in such an unexpected circumstance. Meanwhile, a three-way conflict between the student body, the assassin police, and Awami terrorists transformed the Sadar region into a battlefield. It became quite impossible to save the gravely wounded Mahim in such a circumstance. Overcoming difficult obstacles, a few local women rescued him, provided first aid, and arranged for him to return home safely. After returning home, the burning sensation in his body and face increased. On August 17, he suffered from high fever and shortness of breath from morning. On the 19th, when his condition deteriorated, he was first taken to the Upazila Health Complex and then to Kushtia Sadar Hospital. He died there under treatment the next day at 7:00 am. When the body of Shaheed Mahim Hossain reached his village home in the afternoon, he was buried at the Chandt Graveyard after the funeral at Yakub Ahmed High School next to his house.
All wants and demands ceased. No one will say, "Buy me a sports ball." Parents lost this mischievous boy in his teens.
Family Condition
Mahim Hossain's father works as a tile mason. He used to manage the family expenses and his children's education expenses by doing this work. Having no land of their own, they live in a government house under the government's housing project.
Near Relative's Feelings about the Martyr
Chand Ali Molla, the martyr's uncle, said, “He was very talented. He joined the movement without my knowledge.” Mahim's aunt, Mosammat Halima Khatun, said, “We raised Mahim in our laps. At various times, he asked us for many things. Many times we were able to fulfill his requests, and many times we could not. We feel a great emptiness losing him. It is impossible to fill this void.”
Personal Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Name: Md. Mahim Hossain
Birth: 30-10-2008
Father: Md. Ibrahim, Tile Mason - 42 years old
Mother: Mosammat Rehena Khatun, Housewife - 36 years old
Profession: Worked in a sanitary shop
Education: Student, 10th grade, Chandot Secondary School
Permanent Address: Village: Bamon Para, Union: Betbaria, Thana: Khoksa, District: Kushtia
Time of Injury: August 4, 2024, 12:30 PM
Place of Incident: Kumarkhali Bus Stand, Kushtia
Martyrdom: August 20, 2024, 7:00 AM, Kushtia Sadar Hospital
Attacker: The killer police force of the autocratic government (tear gas)
Graveyard: Chandot Gorosthan (graveyard)
Siblings: Naim, 12 years old, Bamon Para Government Primary School, 5th grade
Niamul, 8 years old, Bamon Para Government Primary School, 2nd grade
Suggestions
1. A dairy cow can be purchased for the family.
2. The full cost of education for the younger brothers should be covered.
3. A one-time grant and regular monthly allowance should be provided.