Md. Wasim Akram
Md Wasim Akram | |
|---|---|
| মো. ওয়াসিম আকরাম | |
| Born | 6 December 2001 Pekua Sadar Union, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh |
| Died | 16 July 2024 (aged 22) Muradpur, Chittagong, Bangladesh |
| Resting place | Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh |
| Alma mater | Chittagong College |
| Occupation | Student |
| Known for | Activism in the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement |
Md Wasim Akram (মো. ওয়াসিম আকরাম; 6 December 2001 – 16 July 2024) was a Bangladeshi student activist. He was a third-year undergraduate student in sociology at Chittagong College. Akram became known for his involvement in the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement. On 16 July 2024, he died during a clash between reform activists, police, and members of a political party's student wing in Muradpur, Chittagong.[1]
Life
[edit]Wasim Akram was born on 6 December 2001 in the South Mehernama area of Pekua Sadar Union, Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh. His father, Shafiul Alam, works in Qatar, and his mother, Jyotsna Akter, is a homemaker. Akram was the second among five siblings.[2]
Wasim Akram completed his SSC at Mehernama High School in 2017 and HSC at Bakalia Government College in 2019. He later enrolled in the Department of Sociology at Chittagong College, where he was active in student politics as a joint convener of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatradal.[citation needed]
Quota Reform Movement and death
[edit]In 2024, Akram became actively involved in the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement, which sought changes to the public sector quota system. On 16 July 2024, during a protest in Chittagong's Muradpur area, Akram was fatally shot in a confrontation between reform activists, police, and members of a political party's student wing.[3][4]
Only 16 hours before his death, Akram posted on Facebook, expressing his commitment to the movement. His posts went viral after his death, sparking widespread discussions and protests in Bangladesh. Wasim Akram was recognized as the first martyr of the quota reform movement in Chittagong.[5][6]
Legacy
[edit]To commemorate Shaheed Wasim Akram, the first martyr of the anti-discrimination student movement in Chittagong, a park in the city's Ambagan area has been renamed Shaheed Wasim Park. Previously, this park was known as Sheikh Russell Children's Park.[7][8][9][10][11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Before his death, Wasim wrote on Facebook: 'I will be a martyr'". Daily Kalbela. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "বৈষম্য বিরোধী আন্দোলনে চট্টগ্রামের প্রথম শহীদ ওয়াসিম আকরাম" (in Bengali). Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Lives lost in quota reform protests". The Business Standard. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "পেকুয়ায় কোটা আন্দোলনে নিহত ওয়াসিমের জানাজা সম্পন্ন" (in Bengali). Parbatta News. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "শহীদ হতে চেয়ে ফেসবুকে স্ট্যাটাস দিয়েছিলেন ওয়াসিম" (in Bengali). Desh Rupantor. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "ওয়াসিমের ফেসবুক স্ট্যাটাস ঘিরে চাঞ্চল্য" (in Bengali). RTV Online. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Sheikh Russell Children's Park renamed as Shaheed Wasim Park". BanglaNews24. 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Shaheed Wasim Akram remembered as park renamed in his honor". Somoy News. 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Pahartali Children's Park renamed as Shaheed Wasim Park". Dainik Azadi. 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Shaheed Wasim Park: A tribute to the martyr of Chattogram". Jago News24. 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Renaming of Sheikh Russell Park sparks emotional tribute to Shaheed Wasim". Dainik Amader Shomoy. 19 November 2024.