Abu Mujahid Mallik

Abu Mujahid Mallik was born on November 21, 2007, to father Sahabuddin Mallik and mother Sarmin Begum in Gopalganj district. Gopalganj is also the home district of the illegitimate ruler Sheikh Hasina. While people in other districts suffered under the Awami League government, many residents of Gopalganj had been benefiting from the autocratic regime for 16 years. One year ago, his mother, Sarmin Begum, was diagnosed with cancer, leading to medical expenses of 2 lakh taka. Mujahid worked as an employee in a furniture shop, earning approximately 25,000 taka per month.
Abu Mujahid Mallik was a dedicated employee at a furniture shop, earning approximately 25,000 taka per month. He was the sole breadwinner for his family, which included his parents and younger brother. His mother, Sarmin Begum, had been battling cancer for a year, with medical expenses amounting to 2 lakh taka. On August 5, 2024, during a student protest in Savar, he was tragically shot and martyred by police gunfire. His death has left his family in profound grief and financial hardship.
Martyrdom of Abu Mujahid Mallik
After eliminating all opposition parties, the autocratic Hasina government ruled Bangladesh for 15 years. Over time, the government suppressed dissenting voices from opposition parties, intellectuals, and religious scholars. The Nationalist Party, BNP, was transformed into a Muslim League. Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami were systematically assassinated. Subservient Islamic parties like Chhatrashibir and Islamic Front were given opportunities to operate due to their allegiance to the government. Believing herself to be supreme, Hasina planned to remain in power until 2041. To achieve this, she needed to appoint incompetent, unskilled, and sycophantic party loyalists in all government positions.
In 2024, when the quota system was implemented, students and the public became enraged. Abu Mujahid Mallik, who had been subjected to various forms of deprivation, joined the student movement. The government's response to the movement was extremely brutal.
On August 5, unable to withstand the student and public protests, Sheikh Hasina fled to India, leaving behind her murderous forces. Upon hearing the news of Hasina's resignation and flight, the people of the country joyfully took to the streets. Abu Mujahid was also on the streets. At the Savar bus stand, in front of Rajjak Plaza, during a victory procession, he was martyred by police gunfire. He was declared dead upon arrival at Enam Medical College Hospital. On August 6, after the funeral prayers in his village, he was laid to rest in the local graveyard.
Family's Statement
"Our capable son sacrificed his life for the student movement. In his grief, my husband was absent from work for 15 days and was subsequently dismissed. In our struggling household, we barely manage two meals a day. How can I afford my own medical treatment?"
These words were spoken by Sarmin Begum, the mother of Martyr Abu Mujahid Mallik, who was diagnosed with cancer a year ago. She has already spent 2 lakh taka on her treatment.
Shahabuddin Mallik said, "When the movement began, Mujahid joined in. He participated in rallies and meetings. On August 6, after he was shot and killed, his body was brought back to the village. Losing my son left me disoriented. After 15 days, when I returned to work, I found another worker in my place. Now, I work as a day laborer. There is no work every day. It is very difficult to run the household. A year ago, my wife was diagnosed with cancer. Her treatment costs 10,000 taka every month. Mujahid had already spent 2 lakh taka on her treatment. Now, he is gone. How will I arrange such money?"
Mujahid's mother, Sarmin Begum, said, "My son is a martyr. My husband has lost his job. We have no land in the village. Without government assistance, we will not be able to survive."
Harun Ar Rashid, Deputy Director of the District Social Services Office, said, "50,000 taka will be provided for the treatment of Martyr Abu Mujahid's mother."
Family's Financial Condition
Abu Mujahid Mallik's father, Shahabuddin Mallik, worked as a laborer in a Singer company warehouse in Savar, Dhaka, earning 25,000 taka. He lived there with his wife and eldest son, Mujahid. His younger son, Mofazzal Mallik, stayed at his maternal uncle's house in Sripur village. Mujahid worked as a carpenter in a furniture shop, earning 20,000 to 30,000 taka per month. The household was well-managed with the combined income of father and son. After the loss of his son, Shahabuddin could not go to work for 15 days and was subsequently dismissed.
Recommendations
1. Arrange a regular monthly allowance for the martyr's family.
2. Ensure financial assistance for the education of the martyr's children.
3. Expedite the trial for the murder.
At a Glance: Martyr Abu Mujahid Mallik
Name: Abu Mujahid Mallik
Date of Birth: November 21, 2007
Profession: Employee at a Furniture Shop
Father: Mohammad Sahabuddin Mallik
Mother: Sarmin Begum
Permanent Address: Village: Goptorgati, Post Office: Khandarpur, Thana: Muksudpur, District: Gopalganj
Family Members: Brother: Mofazzal
Incident Location: Savar, Dhaka
Perpetrator: Police
Time of Injury: August 5, 2024, approximately 2:30 PM
Type of Injury: Gunshot wound
Date and Time of Death: August 5, 2024, at Savar Bus Stand, in front of Rajjak Plaza
Current Burial Location: Goptorgati, Muksudpur, Gopalganj