Md. Zakir Hossain

The participation of students and citizens in the July-August mass uprising was spontaneous. 1 The involvement of the working class was at the forefront of this comprehensive movement. Ignoring the bloodshot eyes of the employers and participating in the movement was a life-or-death decision. In this movement, everyone raised their voices in thunderous protest from their respective positions. The working people, who earned their living through sweat and labor, were equally oppressed by the Awami misrule. Their human dignity was taken away.
However, the 'Declaration of Independence' read out in Baidyanathtala village on April 17, 1971, expressed the pledge and commitment to establish a 'sovereign people's republic to ensure equality, human dignity, and social justice for the people of Bangladesh.'
Although the Awami League government repeatedly talks about the spirit of the Liberation War, they have never embodied it. Under the guise of that spirit, they have continued to exploit. By unjustly killing, imprisoning, oppressing, issuing warrants, and intimidating leaders and activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP, as well as other opposition parties, they have created a mafia state. The working class was also extremely angry with the Awami regime.
One such angry martyr was Shaheed Md. Zakir Hossain (29). He was born on April 2, 1995, in Kabai village, Bakerganj police station, Barisal. His father, Md. Yusuf Shikdar, is a day laborer. His mother, Masuma Begum, is a housewife. After getting married, he came to Dhaka with his wife and worked as an embroidery worker due to a conflict with his father. He has two orphaned children, Jaber, who is only 4 years old, and Abdul, who is 7 months old.
How He Became a Martyr
Shaheed Zakir Hossain was a conscious youth of Adabor, who always had the mentality to fight against discrimination and injustice. Although he worked in a private institution in Dhaka, his thoughts on various social problems were clear. He was one of the leading soldiers in the nationwide movement against discrimination. On August 5th, the day of the movement, Zakir was present with his ideology and ideal position. In front of the Adabor police station area, he raised his voice against discrimination with thousands of students and youths.
Tension had been prevailing since noon that day. As the afternoon progressed, the situation became more heated. The police tried to disperse the protesters, but the protesters stood firm with their demands. At this time, the police started firing indiscriminately. Zakir was shot and fell to the ground. Although the protesters quickly took Zakir to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, his life could not be saved. Doctors declared him dead.
As there were some unidentified bodies along with Zakir's body, it took some time to properly identify him. The next day, on August 6, his body reached his village home, where his funeral and burial were completed. Zakir's tragic death has created a huge void for his family. His wife and two children are now helpless due to his death. Although the family lives in Dhaka, their lives have become more difficult due to the cessation of regular income. He also used to send financial aid to his parents, which was very important for their daily living. But now that aid is gone, and the whole family is in crisis. Shaheed Zakir's death is a big blow not only to his family.
He has a brick house in his village home, but due to family tension, he lived in Dhaka with his wife and two children. Although he lived in Dhaka, he was responsible to his parents and used to send them 2000 to 3000 taka every month. His untimely death has made the family's condition miserable.
Personal Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Martyr's Full Name : Md. Zakir Hossain (18)
Date of Birth : June 9, 2006
Profession : Flower Shop Employee
Monthly Income : 25,000 Taka
Father's Name : Md. Jahangir Alam (46)
Profession : Unemployed
Mother's Name : Mosa: Rahela Begum (40)
Profession : Housewife
Family Debt : 350,000 Taka
Permanent Address : West Nakhalpara, Tejgaon TSO-1215, Tejgaon, Dhaka
Current Address : West Nakhalpara, Tejgaon TSO-1215, Tejgaon, Dhaka
Elder Brother : Rahat (23)
Profession : Student, Government Titumir College
Younger Sister : Meshta Jahan Noor (8)
Profession : Student, 3rd Grade
Ways to Assist:
1. Debt Repayment
2. Responsibility for martyr’s brother's and sister's Education
3. Job Arrangement for Father/Elder Brother