Md. Maruf Hossain

Maruf Hossain was a meritorious student of Kushtia Polytechnic Institute who came to Dhaka, the capital, for his internship. When the quota reform movement started in 2024, he actively participated in the movement from the very beginning. Although this movement was against quota discrimination, it eventually turned into a movement to overthrow Sheikh Hasina's government. Finally, on August 5, 2024, Sheikh Hasina's government was overthrown as a result of this movement. Shaheed Maruf was a part of this historic victory, although he did not live to see it.
Birth and Introduction
Maruf Hossain is the eldest son of Sharif Uddin of Thana Para in Khoksa municipality area of Kushtia. After completing his final exams from Kushtia Polytechnic, he came to Dhaka for an internship, where he lived with friends in a mess in the Rampura Banasree area. Maruf's family had many dreams for his future. They hoped that their talented son would get a job after the internship and take care of the family.
Personal Life
Maruf's father was a fruit seller on the sidewalk, and despite financial hardship, he tried to support his family. Maruf helped his father financially by freelancing and always consoled his parents, saying, "Just be patient for a while, I will fix everything after getting a job." Maruf was a polite and calm person. When his father got angry, he would remain silent and tell his mother, "There is no need to talk to Dad now, everything will be fine when he calms down."
Background of the Movement
From the very beginning of the creation of Bangladesh, 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. Moreover, glorious history is witness that movements and struggles have always originated through students in the critical times of the country.
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 accepted all the demands in the face of strong student protests, but there was a volcano of hatred in her heart. Therefore, in 2024, after consolidating power in an election without opposition parties, the Hasina government again wanted to bring back the quota system. The continuous movement demanding reform of quotas in government jobs had started on July 1. This non-violent movement turned violent on July 15.
In the movement, armed killer Chhatra League, Jubo League, Shechashebok League, police, and JOI members began attacking unarmed students and the public. Since the martyrdom of Abu Sayeed in Rangpur, the movement turned into a mass movement. The quota reform movement gradually turned into 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 is not limited to students only; it becomes a huge mass uprising of the people of the country. Everyone, regardless of caste, creed, or color, expresses solidarity with this uprising and comes out on 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, the armed forces were unleashed on the protesters and many innocent people. Unarmed oppressed people were martyred by their bullets.
Joining the Movement
The quota reform movement gradually turned into 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 is not limited to students only; it becomes a huge mass uprising of the people of the country. Everyone, regardless of caste, creed, or color, expresses solidarity with this uprising and comes out on the streets. Maruf regularly participated in the quota reform movement from the very beginning. (repetition)
Martyrdom
July 19, 2024, was Maruf's last day. The previous day, he had become ill after inhaling tear gas. He had his last conversation with his mother at 11 am that day. He hadn't eaten yet. Maruf said that the situation in Dhaka was not good. Hearing this, his mother warned him, "Son, don't go outside," and Maruf agreed at that time. He said this to console his mother. At around 3 pm, he participated in the movement in front of Rampura Banasree.
There, the henchmen killer police, BGB, and RAB of the autocratic fascist government started firing indiscriminately. At this time, a bullet hit his back and went through his chest. His friends rescued him and took him to the nearby Advance Diagnostic Center, where the doctor on duty declared him dead. The next day, July 20, his body was taken to his village home without an autopsy, and he was buried at the Khoksa Municipal Graveyard at night.
 
Teacher's Statement about the Martyr
A teacher of Khoksa Government Pilot School said, "Maruf Hossain was humble, polite, and religious. He played a role in various social development works. Every year, he organized Iftar মাহফিল at the Khoksa Thana Mosque. We are deeply saddened by his loss."
Reminiscences
Maruf's father, Sharif Uddin, spoke to his son six hours before his martyrdom. He never thought that this would be their last conversation. He said goodbye after seeing his son's face, but Sharif Uddin, who was in great pain, could not see his son's wounds. Maruf's favorite bicycle from his childhood is still in the house, but the owner of the bicycle is no more. Maruf's family members still wait for a phone call after evening, but that call never comes. Maruf's school teachers and neighbors remember him as a humble, polite, and religious person. He always participated in social development work and organized Iftar মাহফিল at the Khoksa Thana Mosque every year.
Family Condition
Shaheed Maruf Hossain's father lives in a small house on his own small piece of land next to Khoksha market. He lives with Maruf's mother and younger sister somehow. It is very difficult for him to meet the expenses of his younger daughter's education and the family. The martyr's father is a small fruit seller. He sells fruit on the sidewalk. The income from the business is used to run the family expenses. While Shaheed Maruf was alive, he also helped his father financially by freelancing.
 
Personal Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Name: Md. Maruf Hossain
Profession: Student
Date of Birth: 15-10-2004
Place of Incident: Rampura, Banasree
Attacker: BGB's bullets
Date of Injury: July 19, 2024, 3:00 PM
Date of Martyrdom: July 19, 2024, 4:30 PM, Rampura, Banasree, Dhaka
Place of Burial: Khoksa Central Graveyard
Permanent Address: Village: Khoksa Thana Para, Union: Khoksa Municipality, Thana: Khoksa, District: Kushtia
Father: Md. Shariful Islam, Small Fruit Seller, 47 years
Mother: Mosammat Moyna Khatun, Housewife, 40 years
Younger Sister: Mosammat Ayesha Khatun, Age: 10 years
Proposals
1. Financial assistance is needed to run the business.
2. All arrangements should be provided to facilitate younger sister's proper education.
3. Besides a one-time financial grant, a monthly allowance should be arranged.