Abdur Razzak Rubel

Abdur Razzak Rubel was a courageous young man from the Debidwar area. Rubel's wife, Happy Akter, said that he was his parents' only child, and after his father's death, Rubel took over the responsibility of the family. He drove a vehicle to support his wife, child, and mother. Rubel and Happy have a six-year-old daughter named Noufa. During the movement, Rubel's wife Happy Akter was nine months pregnant. On August 4th, during the anti-discrimination student-public movement, Abdur Razzak Rubel, the Upazila Shechashebok League leader, was shot and killed in Debidwar, Comilla. Comilla North District Jamaat Secretary Saiful Islam said, "Shaheed Rubel's sacrifice for the country has not gone in vain. In exchange for his sacrifice, an autocratic Hasina has been overthrown."
Shaheed Abdur Razzak Rubel: A Symbol of Courage and Sacrifice
The Context of the Movement
From the very beginning of Bangladesh's existence, its people have been the victims of various forms of injustice, exploitation, oppression, and tyranny. The freedom-loving people of this country have repeatedly stood up against such atrocities, responding to the call of the times. Students have also joined hands with the struggling masses, echoing their demands. Moreover, the glorious history of the country bears witnesses to the fact that movements and struggles for change have always been initiated by students during critical periods in the nation's history. When the vehicle of Bangladesh seemed to have its brakes failed, and its passengers, the people of Bangladesh, were gripped by terror; when all around there was suffering, pain, cries, lamentation, and clear signs of imminent destruction, it is only natural that such barbarity of the state machinery would leave a deep scar on the mind of a young, aware, and defendant Azizul Mia. After all, he is witnessing everything firsthand. He hears with his own ears the desperate cries of the people; the wailing of wounded hearts. He sees with his own eyes how innocent people are being indiscriminately murdered by the oppressive groups masquerading as rulers.
The 15 years of Awami misrule, electoral theft, corruption, murder, injustice, and oppression had created a deeply negative reaction in the public mind. The Awami government once again began to conspire to reinstate the quota system. In 2018, faced with fierce protests from students, Sheikh Hasina relented and accepted all demands, but in her heart, she harbored a volcano of hatred. Thus, after consolidating power in 2024 through an election devoid of any opposition, the Hasina government once more sought to bring back the quota system. From July 1st, a continuous movement began demanding reforms in the quota system in government jobs. This non-violent movement turned violent on July 15th. Armed cadres of the Chhatra League, Jubo League, Shechashebok League, and the police, along with members of the Joi Bangla Bahini, began attacking unarmed students and civilians participating in the protests.
After the martyrdom of Abu Sayeed in Rangpur, the movement transformed into a mass uprising. The quota reform movement gradually evolved into a people's movement. It spread across the country as a movement against discrimination by students and the general public. What began as a non-violent movement by ordinary students gradually turned into an uprising against the fascist government. This movement was no longer confined to students alone; it became a massive popular uprising of the country's masses. People from all walks of life, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion, expressed solidarity with this uprising and took to the streets. Faced with the wrath of the people, the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign on August 5th. But before resigning, she left behind a trail of heinous and perverse misdeeds of her twisted mind. As part of this, armed forces were unleashed on the protesters and many innocent people. Unarmed and oppressed people were martyred by their bullets.
How He Became a Martyr
On August 4th, Abdur Razzak Rubel was brutally murdered in front of Azgar Ali Balika High School in the upazila headquarters by the terrorist assassins of the Awami League. He was the son of the late Rafiqul Islam of Barera village in the municipal area. Abdul Razzak was a patriotic and heroic warrior of this movement against the tyrannical government's massacre of the people in the name of the anti-discrimination student-public movement. Instead of confining himself to his home amidst the sounds of gunfire all around, he left his house at 10 am to join the movement to make the revolutionary movement of the common students and people even stronger and then returned home. A while later, when he left home again, a bullet from the fascist government's police force struck his chest. In this condition, when he was taken to Debidwar Health Complex, the on-duty doctor said that he had died much earlier.
Information and Notable Events of August 4th in Debidwar Area
August 4th was filled with protesters in Debidwar. The main demands of the anti-discrimination student-public movement were in favor of the rights of students and against administrative corruption. News of this incident was published in various media outlets such as Dhaka Post, Comillar Kagoj, Ajker Khobor, and Somoy Television. Although the movement started peacefully, it turned into a bloody clash due to the violent attack by the police. Around noon, the police tried to disperse the protesters by firing rubber bullets, tear gas, and live bullets. Many students were injured in the violence, and Rubel was brutally shot and martyred on the spot. Reports from locals and various news media outlets indicate that although the protesters retreated somewhat in the face of the police attack, they were firm in their demands. It is mentioned in the media that the administration tried to harshly suppress the peaceful demands of the protesters, which created even more violence. Besides, local people and journalists described the police attack as unexpected and unjustified.
Special Information about the Martyr:
Abdur Razzak Rubel became a father 36 days after his death. Happy Akter, Rubel's wife, who was shot and killed in Debidwar, Comilla on August 4th in the anti-discrimination student-public movement, gave birth to a son. Rubel's elderly mother, Hosne Ara Begum, is crying while holding her grandson in her arms. She says, "My dear, my son would have been very happy if he were alive today. The unfortunate grandson could not see his father's face after birth. What will I answer when he grows up and looks for his father?" Rubel's wife said, "My husband's wish was to name his son Raiyan if he had a son. The name has been kept Raiyan. I had a happy family; everything was extinguished by a bullet. His father could not see his son's face. What was my husband's crime that the killers shot him?"
Family Condition
The situation of Shaheed Abdur Razzak Rubel's family is truly heartbreaking. With his wife pregnant and all the sisters married, the family has become devoid of men. In such a situation, it is very important to help the family and stand by them. Cooperation may be needed from the local community or the government so that the family can overcome this difficult time. The martyr's sacrifice reminds us how important it is to protect and unite families.
Inspiration from the Martyr
Rubel's bravery and his sacrifice are a source of inspiration for future generations. The way he gave his life for his country and for the demand for social justice, despite being a family man, will encourage the current generation of students and youth to fight for justice. His bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism will awaken moral courage among the students, and they will be inspired to stand up against social injustice themselves. This great sacrifice of Rubel is proof that age is no barrier to loving the country and fighting for justice. His life and death will remain an ideal and example for all people fighting against discrimination.
Shaheed Abdur Razzak Rubel: A Profile
Name: Shaheed Abdur Razzak Rubel
Occupation: Driver
Date of Birth & Age: February 22, 1981, 43 years old
Assailant: Killer Police of the Autocratic Government
Date of Injury and Martyrdom: August 4, 2024, approximately 1:30 PM
Place of Martyrdom: In front of Azgar Ali Balika High School, Debidwar Sadar
Burial: His native village
Grave's GPS Location: 23°36'09.1"N 90°59'48.6"E
Permanent Address: Village: Barera, Union: Debidwar, Municipality: 9 No. Ward, Thana/Upazila: Debidwar, District: Comilla
Father: Rafiqul Islam
Mother: Hosne Ara Begum
Condition of House and Property: Homestead and some land
Proposals
1. It is necessary to arrange employment.
2. It would be helpful if the cost of the daughter's education could be arranged.