Ramiz Uddin Ahmed

" He Was Not Just a Friend,
But a Brother Too
Could Not Save My Brother "
Ramiz Uddin Ahmed was born on May 24, 2003, in Baraikhali village under Lalbagh Thana, Dhaka. He was a second-semester student at Daffodil International University. His father, A.K.M. Rakibul Ahmed, was employed in a project under Qatar Charity. However, since May 2024, the project has been discontinued, leaving him unemployed. His mother, Rabeya Sultana, is a homemaker. The family does not own any property and lived in a rented house in Lalbagh, Dhaka. Ramiz Uddin had an elder brother, Redwan Ahmed, who is both mentally and physically disabled. Occasionally, their father takes on technical repair work for households and offices to support the family. Shaheed Ramiz Uddin was known for his humility and was deeply devoted to his elder brother.
A Tragic Departure That Left All in Tears
The anti-discriminatory movement, spearheaded by students and the public, commenced in July following the verdict upholding the quota system in employment. Students participated spontaneously from the outset. By mid-July, the government unleashed its autocratic police force, along with members of the Awami League and its affiliates, to suppress the legitimate movement. The student movement gradually transformed into a mass uprising, with students and citizens joining forces in solidarity.
On August 4th, at approximately 11:00 AM, Shaheed Ramiz Uddin left his residence in Baraikhali, Hazaribagh, Dhaka, accompanied by his friend Shafiqul Islam Pranto, to join the movement. As he departed, he informed his mother, Rabeya Sultana, "Mom, we are going to the movement." Despite not obstructing her son, a sense of foreboding gripped her heart.
Shaheed Ramiz Uddin and Pranto had been inseparable since childhood. Ramiz did not merely participate in the movement alone; he also urged his other friends to join via a Facebook group the previous day. Due to the nationwide curfew, venturing out in groups was challenging. Nevertheless, Ramiz, along with his friends Pranto, Mohin, and Akash, were determined to reach Shahbagh and join the movement. Overcoming police barricades at various points, they traversed the city's alleys on foot and eventually arrived at Shahbagh. At noon, a large student procession proceeded from Shahbagh towards Farmgate via Bangla Motor.
Ramiz and his four friends were at the forefront of the procession. As time progressed, the movement gained momentum. Around 4:00 PM, upon reaching Farmgate, the autocratic police force and Jubo League terrorists attacked the students. The demonstrators were subjected to a barrage of tear gas, rubber bullets, pellet guns, grenades, and even gunfire from helicopters. Snipers targeted student and public leaders from elevated positions. The demonstrators dispersed in disarray, seeking refuge in various directions. The indiscriminate firing continued for some time, leaving many injured on the streets. Ramiz and his friends took shelter beneath the Karwan Bazar Metro Rail station, where sporadic clashes with the terrorist forces persisted.
Meanwhile, his mother, upon hearing reports of clashes in different parts of Dhaka, repeatedly contacted her son. Amidst the chaos, Shaheed Ramiz answered his mother's call, stating, "There's chaos, I'll talk to you later." Little did she know that it would be their final conversation. At approximately 5:20 PM, Ramiz was shot in the right eye beneath the Metro Rail station. In the face of such adversity, he was immediately rushed to the nearby Padma Clinic at great risk. However, due to the severity of his injuries, the doctors there declined to treat him. He was then swiftly taken to Dhaka Medical College, where the attending physician pronounced him dead at 6:20 PM.
Memories of the Martyr
Shaheed Ramiz Uddin and his friend Pranto had been inseparable since childhood, remaining together from their early years until the movement. Pranto recounted that Ramiz breathed his last in his arms. Overwhelmed with grief, Pranto recalled his friend, stating, "Ramiz was not just my friend, but also my brother. I couldn't save my brother. I can't forget his memories, and I never will."
Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Ahmed at a Glance
Name : Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Ahmed
Occupation : Student, Daffodil International University
Father : AKM Rakibul Ahmed
Mother : Rabeya Sultana, Homemaker
Brother : Redwan Ahmed, Physically and Mentally Challenged
Date and Location of Injury : August 4, 2024, Karwan Bazar Metro Rail Station
Date and Location of Martyrdom : August 4, 2024, 6:20 PM, Padma Clinic
Permanent Address : Baraikhali, Road No. 13, Union: Shibpur, Thana: Lalbagh, Dhaka.