Md Shrabon Gazi. Photo: Collected

SAVAR, Jan 15, 2025 (BSS) -  On the historic day of August 5, 2024, "Long March to Dhaka" programme forced autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina to resign and she fled the country.  

On the day (August 5),  Shrabon Gazi (20) came out of the house saying "Mother, I am going to war."  Shahnaz,   mother of Shrabon, recalled firm determination of her son .    

 Shrabon actively joined the student-led mass upsurge and he embraced martyrdom   in thana Stand area of Savar on August 5.  

Md Shrabon Gazi was the only son of Mannan Gazi and Shahnaz Begum of Gerua area near Jahangirnagar University.   Shrabon was studying software engineering at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology in Malaysia. His younger sister Mahima Elahi studies in class four. 

In 2022, Shrabon passed his higher secondary from the science department of Savar Laboratory College. In February this year, his family sent him to Malaysia for higher education. 

Shrabon's family is not financially well off. His father Mannan Gazi was working in a garment factory for a long time. In 2016, he left the garment sector and joined the post of 'Breeding Assistant' at Central Cow Breeding and Dairy Farm in Savar. Since then they have been living in the residential quarters of the dairy farm in front of Jahangirnagar University. 

Shrabon was at the forefront of the march of students who started from Jahangirnagar University as part of the "March to Dhaka" programme on August 5.

After the march reached Savar Thana stand area, a bullet hit Shrabon in the head and he fell on the ground instantly. He was immediately rescued and taken to Gonoshasthaya Samaj Vittik Medical College Hospital in Ashulia, where the doctor on duty declared him dead.

Shrabon was the first youth who was shot and died on the spot during the long march programme on August 5.

Recalling the memories of the movement, Shrabon's father Mannan Gazi said,  "On July 15th midnight, a video of Chhatra League's brutal attack on the protesting students of Jahangirnagar University was spread on Facebook. I couldn't contain myself after seeing that. Since then, when the students of Jahangirnagar University protested on the Dhaka Aricha highway, I used to participate with them."

Remembering his son, Mannan Gazi said in a tearful voice, "I sent my only son Shrabon to Malaysia on loan to study engineering after completing higher secondary education. But during the movement he came on leave from abroad on July 16 to participate in the movement with his friends. From then on, despite his mother's prohibition, he joined the movement with the students of Jahangirnagar University every day."

Mannan said when the Long March to Dhaka program was announced on August 5, Shrabon left home at 10 am. At that time, Shrabon told his mother, "mother, I am going to war". But his mother forbade him to go to the procession, so he secretly came to the street and joined the movement. 

"Later, someone called me at 2 pm and said your son has been shot. I came to know that Shrabon was shot by the police when he joined the procession and reached the Savar Thana station area," he added. 

Mannan Gazi said, "My son had no desire to do government jobs, but he participated in the movement thinking about other general students. His mother, and aunts are almost devastated by the death of their son. All our dreams are over."

Mannan requested the state authorities to take necessary measures to commemorate his son. His son Shrabon was martyred during the movement along with students of Jahangirnagar University. So he wants an infrastructure of Jahangirnagar University to be named after him.

"Many injured in the movement are suffering in the hospital. The government has not yet managed to provide them with full treatment. It is very painful. I hope the government will take effective measures in this regard. Besides, martyrs in the movement will be given due status", he added.

Arifuzzaman Uzzal, convenor of JU Anti-Discrimination Student Movement said, "The role of school and college students around Jahangirnagar University in the July movement is undeniable. They marched with us at the risk of their lives. Shrabon Ghazi was martyred on the eve of victory in the movement. We remember his sacrifice with respect."

He said the family of Shrabon Ghazi has been given an honorarium of 5 lakh taka by the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation. They have also demanded the university administration to name a building in the university after Srabon. Besides, they will send a letter to the Dairy Farm authorities requesting the permanent employment of Shrabon's father Mannan Gazi.

JU Pro- Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Sohel Ahmed said, "July uprising freed us from a brutal dictatorship. This achievement is in exchange for thousands of lives. Shrabon Gazi is one of the most prominent here. He was martyred by taking part in the movement along with Jahangirnagar University students. We remember his sacrifice with reverence."

"To commemorate the contribution of Shrabon Gazi, we are considering naming a building of the university after him," he added.