Mother of July martyr Rajib calls for justice

RAJARHAT, KURIGRAM, Aug 6: The mother of July Uprising martyr Rajib Ul Karim Sarkar Rabby has urged the country's leaders to remain faithful to the ideals of the 2024 mass uprising, saying those now in power owe their position to the sacrifices of those who died.

"They entered Parliament on the carpet of these July fighters' blood. If they ever betray the spirit of July, history will judge them," Jannatul Ferdous told The Daily Observer recently, breaking down in tears while recalling her son.

Rajib, 19, was from Joykumar Village in Rajarhat Upazila but studied at Border Guard Public School and College in Lalmonirhat, where his parents worked. An HSC candidate at Lalmonirhat Government College, he joined student protests on August 4 and 5, 2024.

According to the family, Rajib went missing after joining demonstrations on August 5. Around 1:30am, his body was recovered from the residence of Lalmonirhat Awami League Joint General Secretary Suman Khan, where it had been burned in a fire.

Recalling the night, his mother said Rajib's phone became unreachable after 11pm. She posted on Facebook seeking information while praying for his safe return.

"Then my brother-in-law called, crying. I realised my son was gone," she said.

Jannatul said Rajib had dreamed of becoming an engineer.

"He was afraid of blood and wanted to design our family home one day," she said.

His father, Rezaul Karim Sarkar, an Assistant Professor at Begum Kamrunnessa Degree College in Lalmonirhat, said Rajib was more than a son.

"He was my friend. I want a proper investigation and justice for his killing," he said.

Rajib's younger brother, Mezbah Ul Karim Sarkar, said he still struggles to cope with the loss, while another brother, Jamiul Karim Sarkar, recalled seeing Rajib in Facebook live-stream from the protests.

Al Mizan, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Rajarhat, said Rajib was the only July martyr from the upazila. He urged authorities to ensure recognition and support for genuine July fighters and their families while preventing others from exploiting the movement's legacy.