Ahmed, Rafiq Uddin (1926-1952)

 

Ahmed, Rafiq Uddin (1926-1952) a language martyr. Rafiq Uddin Ahmed was born at village Paril in Singair upazila of Manikganj district. He matriculated from Baira School in 1949. While a student of Intermediate class at Devendra College in Manikganj he discontinued his studies and moved to Dhaka. There he worked in his father's commercial printing business.

On 21 February 1952, a general strike was called and a mass demonstration staged in Dhaka demanding recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan. The government ban on public gatherings of people in Dhaka under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. But students and people from all walks of life defied Section 144 and participated in a demonstration. The police opened fire on the demonstration in the premises of Dhaka Medical College Hostel. Rafiq Uddin had joined the demonstration and was shot dead. The police took his body to the morgue of Medical College Hospital. He was buried in Azimpur graveyard at 3 a.m under an army guard. In recognition of his sacrifice during the language movement, Rafiq Uddin was awarded Ekushey Padak posthumously in February 2000.

Ahmed, Rafiq Uddin (1926-1952) a language martyr. Rafiq Uddin Ahmed was born at village Paril in Singair upazila of Manikganj district. He matriculated from Baira School in 1949. While a student of Intermediate class at Devendra College in Manikganj he discontinued his studies and moved to Dhaka. There he worked in his father's commercial printing business.

On 21 February 1952, a general strike was called and a mass demonstration staged in Dhaka demanding recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan. The government ban on public gatherings of people in Dhaka under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. But students and people from all walks of life defied Section 144 and participated in a demonstration. The police opened fire on the demonstration in the premises of Dhaka Medical College Hostel. Rafiq Uddin had joined the demonstration and was shot dead. The police took his body to the morgue of Medical College Hospital. He was buried in Azimpur graveyard at 3 a.m under an army guard. In recognition of his sacrifice during the language movement, Rafiq Uddin was awarded Ekushey Padak posthumously in February 2000.

 

Jabbar, Abdul (1919-1952)

 

Jabbar, Abdul (1919-1952) martyr of language movement. Abdul Jabbar was born at village Panchua in Gafargaon thana of Mymensingh district on 26 Aswin 1326 BS (1919 AD). He had his primary education in a local pathsala, but could not continue his studies due to poverty. He left the school and was engaged in helping his father in agricultural work. While a boy of fifteen Abdul Jabbar left home unnoticed and reached Narayanganj by train in search of fortune. There he came in contact with an Englishman who helped him in getting a job in Burma. He earned some proficiency in English language there. He returned home after twelve years of service in Burma.

In 1952, Abdul Jabbar came to Dhaka (20 February) with his mother-in-law and wife for the medical treatment of his mother-in-law, a cancer patient. He got her mother-in-law admitted into the Medical College Hospital. On 21 February 1952, there was an assemblage of the students and the public at the premises of the Medical College Hostel demanding recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan. Abdul Jabbar joined the rally. The police fired on the rally, and Abdul Jabbar was severely struck with a bullet. He was admitted into the Medical College Hospital where he breathed his last on the night following. In recognition of his sacrifice, Abdul Jabbar was awarded the Ekushey Padak (posthumously) in 2000 AD.

Barkat, Abul (1927-1952)

 

Barkat, Abul (1927-1952) a martyr of language movement. Abul Barkat nicknamed Abai was born in 1927 at village Babla in Bharatpur thana of Murshidabad district. He passed the Matriculation examination from Talibpur High School in 1945, and the Intermediate examination from Bahrampur Krishnanath College in 1947. After the partition of India he came to Dhaka in 1948. He obtained BA (Hons) degree in Political Science from Dhaka University in 1951.

In 1952, when the language movement demanding recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan was at its height, the government clamped Section 144 of criminal procedure code in Dhaka city in order to contain student agitation.

Abul Barkat was in the procession that students mobilised on the premises of the Dhaka Medical College hostel on 21 February. When the police fired on the gathering, Barkat was shot dead. He was laid to rest in Azimpur graveyard. In recognition of his sacrifice, Abul Barkat was awarded Ekushe Padak (posthumously) in 2000 AD.

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