Md. Rubel Islam

Md. Rubel Islam, a vibrant young man, like a piece of Bangladesh, who gave his life for the country. He was born into a poor family in Dhopachanda village, under the 2nd ward of the Goragram Union in the sadar upazila of Nilphamari district. He was the fourth child of his rickshaw-driver father, Md. Rofiqul Islam, and mother, Mini Begum. From a young age, Rubel was known for his polite and calm nature. He was determined to maintain his integrity, avoiding bad company. He showed great respect for elders and was responsible in his family matters.
Incident Description
At that time, the country was in the midst of intense protests, with the sounds of gunfire, wailing, and anguish everywhere. The situation in the capital, Dhaka, was particularly dire. Even during this crisis, ordinary day laborers and workers had to go to work for the sake of survival. If they didn’t work, there was no other way to comfort the pitiful faces of those depending on them. Therefore, as usual, Rubel Islam went to work on August 5, 2024. He returned home just before 4 PM, had his meal, and rested for a while. Meanwhile, he remained vigilant about the country’s situation. News of the fall of the autocracy had reached every fiery heart in the country. Rubel was no exception. Thus, shortly after 4 PM, he joined the victory procession. The area in front of Adabar Police Station was crowded with people celebrating the victory.
At that moment, when the police and the student league fired together, Rubel was shot. The bullet entered his right rib and exited through his left rib. The people present rushed him to the nearby Suhrawardy Hospital where he underwent surgery. Hospitals were also filled with brutality at that time. The hospital authorities were reluctant to provide care for the protesters, and many had to be admitted with false information. Instead of handing over the bodies to their relatives, the higher authorities were admitting them to the morgue. Moreover, there were attempts to bury unidentified bodies or even incinerate them. Due to the unavailability of ICU space at Suhrawardy Medical, Rubel was taken to a nearby clinic. He fought with death for three days. Finally, on August 7, around 8 PM, he embraced martyrdom. The following day, after his funeral prayer, he was buried at his home, alongside a handful of golden dreams.
Family's Economic Condition
Rubel's father had no land for farming, nor did he own a piece of land to build a house. They lived in a house built on someone else's land. Their lives were tormented by poverty, which worsened due to the burden of debt. Rubel’s father had to take loans to marry off his three elder sisters. In hopes of repaying those debts and providing something for his two sons, Rubel’s father moved to Dhaka city. He rented a house near the Mohammadpur Bihari Camp. He made a living by driving a rickshaw, while his wife helped by doing domestic work. This difficult situation of his parents worried Rubel. On one hand, he wanted to study, but on the other, the cruel grasp of poverty forced him to work in a factory. While studying in the eighth grade, he also worked as a laborer in the factory. He enrolled his younger brother in a Hafizia madrasa. Together, the family hoped to raise money, pay off the debts, and buy a small piece of land to build a home. This hope was shattered with Rubel’s death. While he was in the hospital, the expenses amounted to about one and a half lakh taka, of which Rubel’s father had to contribute around one lakh twenty thousand taka. The burden of old debts was further compounded with new ones. Rubel’s parents, having lost their son, now found themselves lost and helpless.
Feelings of Relatives and Friends about the Martyr
His parents were overwhelmed with grief at the loss of the boy who had taken responsibility at such a young age. His brothers and sisters were rendered speechless with the sorrow of losing their beloved brother. The grief seemed impossible to overcome.
Rubel’s uncle said, “He was so well-mannered that whenever he saw an elder, he would step off the road and walk on the side. He showed us so much respect.”
His aunt said, “He treated us with the respect of a mother. He had no bad habits. He never associated with bad company. He was an incredibly good boy. He was so good that I think Allah took him away quickly.”
Suggestions for Helping the Martyr's Family
1. Housing is needed.
2. Assistance is required for the education of the younger brother.
3. It would be beneficial to provide a business opportunity for martyrs’ father.
Martyr's Profile at a Glance
Full Name: Md. Rubel Islam
Father: Md. Rofiqul Islam
Mother: Mini Begum
Address: Village: Dhopachanda, Union: 2nd Goragram, Police Station: Nilphamari Sadar, District: Nilphamari
Number of Family Members: 6
Father: Md. Rofiqul Islam
Siblings: Rupshana Begum (Age 30, Married)
Runa Begum (Age 25, Married)
Pinky (Age 20, Married)
Roni (Age 12, Hafiz)
Place and Date of Injury: In front of Adabar Police Station, 05/08/2024, 4 PM
Attackers: Police and Chhatra League
Place and Date of Death: While undergoing treatment at the hospital, August 7, around 8 PM
Burial: His own village