The best known Bangladeshi martyr was Abu Sayed, a brilliant student in the northern district of Rangpur. He was a promising Bangladeshi student activist deeply committed to social justice and educational reform. Born into a humble family, he was the youngest of six brothers and three sisters. His parents had limited means, but they recognized Sayed’s exceptional intellect and potential. As the first in his family to receive a formal education, Sayed was their beacon of hope. His siblings made significant sacrifices, saving diligently and investing in his education, believing that his success would uplift the entire family. His siblings did not pursue their education beyond primary school, since they were not as talented as Abu Sayed and the family had limited resources. Their hopes were largely tied up with Abu Sayed.
On July 15, 2024, Sayed shared a poignant message on social media calling for courage and integrity among educators and leaders, emphasizing the importance of standing up for just causes and inspiring future generations. On the following day, tensions related to the quota reform movement escalated dramatically. In the afternoon, a confrontation between student protesters and law enforcement took place in front of Begum Rokeya University. Police attempted to disperse the growing crowd, using tear gas and baton charges. While many students retreated amidst the chaos, Abu Sayed remained steadfast, embodying his unwavering commitment to the cause. In fact, he offered himself as a sacrifice to the police if they dared to fire on an unarmed student leader.
Eyewitnesses reported that police officers began firing rubber bullets toward the protesters and in particular at Abu Sayed, who put himself at the forefront in a way that became iconic after being captured in photos and videos by other students. Amidst the turmoil, Sayed was struck multiple times by bullets fired by a police officer. He collapsed on the ground, and despite the frantic efforts of fellow students to secure medical assistance, he succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital. His death sent shockwaves through the university and the nation, igniting outrage and demands for justice and galvanizing a national movement that led to the fall of a hated regime.
Credible reporting from Amnesty International using satellite data shows that Sayed never posed a risk to the policemen who shot him, as he was standing 15 meters away. The report states, “Abu Sayed, a 25-year-old student, was killed in the north-western city of Rangpur. In videos verified by Amnesty International, at least two police officers discharge 12-gauge shotguns directly towards him from across the street. Sayed clutches his chest on impact as officers fire at least two more times.” Recently, Abu Sayed’s grieving family received compensation from the Foundation to help them recover from their terrible loss. As of late November, 290 other victims and families have also received funds, and more are being vetted and compensated every day. Of the estimated 1,400 killed, nearly 800 have been fully vetted by the JSSF team, and their families have been approved for disbursement.