The first language martyr of 1952 is Rafikuddin Ahmed of Singair and to preserve his memory, a library and museum have been established in Singair.
But the museum does not have anything that carries his memory while the library has only two books out of a collection of 9000 on language martyr Rafiq.
Librarian and nephew of Shaheed Rafiq, Forhad Hossain Khan, said: “we don’t have any item that carries the memory of Rafiq though we have plenty of books on the liberation war.”
The family of the martyr live in a house built by PROSHIKA chairman Dr. Kazi Faruq.
Rafiquddin Ahmed was born on Oct 30, 1926 and was an effervescent lad in youth; he was daring too and once broke his leg while climbing a tree and was sent to Kolkata for treatment.
After completing matriculation from a local school, he was admitted to Devendra College and studied up to second year. After a study break, he got admitted to Jagannath College in Dhaka and became a martyr during the language movement.
On Feb 21, when Rafiq came to the Medical College Gate with Mosharraf Hossain to head to Laxibazar, he was blocked by the police. When they were going through the medical college campus, they saw armed police near the north west gate.
When Rafiq and Mosharraf were talking neat the 22 shade, a group of police entered and began firing and one bullet killed Rafiq.
He was later buried at the Azimpur graveyard.
The Shaheed Rafiq museum could not attract the new generation because it does not have anything linked to the language martyr.
Chairman of Manikganj district council and freedom fighter advocate Golam Mahiuddin said: “The government built a Shaheed Minar at Rafiq’a home and a mural.”
To observe Eksuhey, five day programme has been taken which began on Feb 15.
They include: art, recitation, singing, dance, reading competition.
In addition, on Feb 21, flower wreaths will be placed at the Shaheed Minar at Rafiq’s house.
On the same day, free medical treatment and blood donation events will be held by the local barrister Ashfaq Memorial Hospital and Diabetic Samity.