Raiyan is born as an orphan as his father Rubel embraced martyrdom during the student-people mass upsurge on August 4, just a day before fall of the autocratic government.
Rubel’s dream of welcoming his unborn child to this world will not be fulfilled anymore as he was killed by the local Awami League (AL) men during movement.
Abdur Razzak Rubel was a bus driver by profession. Son of late Rafiqul Islam, he was a local leader of Swechasebak Dal. Two separate cases – one by the family and another by the party -- have been filed in this connection.
Recounting that fateful day, Rubel’s wife Happy Akter said as Rubel was on the streets with the students and mass people in front of Debidwar Ajgor Ali Munshi Girls High School, the Awami League cadres started firing indiscriminately on them, leaving Rubel dead on the spot.
At the time of the incident, Rubel’s wife was eight-months pregnant. The child was born after one month six days into Rubel’s death. There was no celebration in the house as Shaheed Rubel’s family is still reeling from the shock of his death. Being orphaned before his birth, the cruelty of this world is unknown to the child.
Happy Akter said, “Rubel came to know the gender of our child through ultrasound and decided to keep his name ‘Raiyan’. My son is named as per his late father’s wish. Rubel had lots of dreams centering his children. By killing Rubel, the AL cadres have orphaned my children. I want justice of my husband's killing.”
Rubel left behind his wife, a six-year-old daughter named Nofa, a new born child and his mother to mourn his death.
Abdur Razzak Rubel was the sole breadwinner of the family. He was the only son of his parents. He took up the responsibility of the family soon after his father’s death. The family now stares at a bleak future losing their sole bread earner.
However, the upazila BNP has declared to stand beside the helpless family.
Talking to BSS, Rezaul Karim VP Shahin, the general secretary of Cumilla North Zila Jubo Dal said member secretary of Comilla North District BNP AFM Tarek Munshi has announced to take all the responsibility, including bearing all the education expenses of the two children of Shahid Rubel.
He said, “We already visited Rubel’s wife in the hospital on behalf of him. The BNP is ready to stand beside the family in future.”
Besides, Hasnat Abdullah, the central coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, have recently visited the family members of Shaheed Rubel and handed over a cheque for Taka 2 lakh.
He inquired about the family members and gave assurance of staying beside them. Local coordinators of Debidwar Nazmul Hasan Nahid, Muktadir Zarif Shikto, Sharif Al Banna, among others, accompanied Hasnat Abdullah during the visit.
