Akram Khan Rabbi

Md. Akram Khan Rabbi, aged 28, was martyred during the student-public movement against inequality. He was a student at Crown University in Dhaka and worked at cricketer Anamul Haque Bijoy’s showroom to support his parents while pursuing his studies.
His father, Faruk Khan (54), and mother, Beauty Akter (45), had three sons, of whom Rabbi was the second. His elder brother, Imran Khan Rocky (32), is a businessman, while his younger brother, Mehedi Hasan Rafi (21), passed the HSC examination this year.
Rabbi had a dream: to fulfill all his parents’ wishes with his hard-earned money. He was actively involved in the anti-discrimination movement from the beginning and had been participating since the start of the July Revolution. Despite his work commitments, he joined protests in his free time and used his salary to buy water, biscuits, and other food for the demonstrators. He tried his best to assist students involved in the movement.
On Friday, July 19, Rabbi left home for Jummah prayer in the afternoon and afterward joined the protest. At 4:17 PM, in front of Shahid Abu Taleb School in Mirpur-10, he was shot in the stomach and chest. Around 4:30 PM, his friend called and informed his father that Rabbi had been shot. He was first taken to Islamia Hospital in Sector-11, but the hospital refused to treat him. The friend then informed the family they were transferring him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and advised them to come there.
When his father finally reached DMCH after much difficulty, he found his son’s body lying on the floor, soaked in blood. Faruk Khan said, “When I wanted to take the body, the hospital authorities refused, stating that they had orders from higher authorities. I had to pay BDT 5,000 to keep the body in the mortuary and returned home that night.”
The next day, July 20, when he returned to collect the body, he found it lying outside. Despite repeated attempts throughout the day, he could not retrieve it. Eventually, on July 21, after much effort, he was handed over the decomposed body. Rabbi was buried the same evening at the East Baishtek Graveyard in Mirpur.
Statement from the Father
With visible grief, Faruk Khan expressed:
“I now understand the pain of losing a child. At his farewell, no one could even see his face. I paid money to keep his body safe, yet it was left outside. For three days, my son’s corpse lay outside, decaying. Even during the funeral, police came to arrest me, but the local people prevented it.”
Statement from the Mother
Beauty Akter shared,
“Rabbi had joined the movement from the beginning. On the afternoon of the 18th, we had lunch together. Later, he went to join the demonstrators and used his salary to buy them water. He came back and told us about it. Both his father and I discouraged him from joining. On July 19, after Jummah prayer, he left the house. Later, a friend informed us he had been shot. I begged people to take me to DMCH just to see my son’s face one last time, but no one did. When I finally learned on the 21st that the body was being brought home, I waited downstairs all day, hoping to see and kiss him one last time. But I am such an unfortunate mother—I could not even see my son’s face. My life has become meaningless.”
She added, “Rabbi helped me with cooking, cleaning, and other chores. If I was unwell, he would not let me do anything. He would always ask what I needed. Now, no one asks me if I need anything.”
Family's Demands
Faruk Khan demanded that necessary steps be taken to ensure no future authoritarian regime could return to power, stating:
“In 2024, thousands of students and civilians became martyrs or were injured during this movement. Their sacrifices have gifted us a dictatorship-free country. We must ensure no future regime takes away this freedom. Those responsible for these killings must be brought to justice promptly.”
He also demanded state recognition of martyrdom for those killed in the anti-discrimination movement:
“It is not enough to verbally declare them martyrs. They must be officially honored by the state. Additionally, the thousands of injured protesters must be rehabilitated.”
Legal Action Taken by the Family
On August 25, Faruk Khan filed a murder case at Pallabi Police Station against 48 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
https://www.jugantor.com/national/862174
https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2024-11-19/u4YS61L3
https://sokalerkhobor24.com/news/74556/print/
At a Glance: Information Regarding the Martyr
Name: Akram Khan Rabbi
Occupation: Student, Private Sector Employee
Father: Faruq Khan (Age 54)
Mother: Beauty Akter (Age 45)
Siblings: Elder brother Imran Khan Rocky (Businessman), Younger brother Mehedi Hasan Rafi (Age 21)
Location of Incident: In front of Shahid Abu Taleb School, Mirpur 10
Perpetrator: Police
Time of Injury: 19 July 2024, at 4:17 PM
Nature of Injury: Gunshot wounds
Date and Time of Death: 19 July 2024
Current Burial Site of the Martyr: Baishtek Cemetery
Recommendations:
1. Ensure the provision of a monthly one-time allowance to the family.
2. Facilitate employment for the younger brother.