Highlights
- 83 injured students were taken to the medical center by an autorickshaw driver during the clash.
- The driver, Mohammad Rubel Hossain, did not take any fare.
- The incident took place on 31 August at Chittagong University’s 2nd Gate area.
- Rubel risked his life as many drivers fled in fear.
- He was later rewarded by the university administration for his humanity.
- Rubel said he acted only out of conscience, not for money.
Clash at Chittagong University
On 31 August 2025, a major clash broke out between Chittagong University (CU) students and local villagers near the 2nd Gate area of the campus. The violence started after allegations that a night guard had physically assaulted a female student the day before. The clash left around 200 students injured.
A Rickshaw Driver Who Choose Humanity
While most autorickshaw drivers left the area in fear, Mohammad Rubel Hossain, a driver from Laksham in Comilla, did something extraordinary. Instead of running away, he stayed and started carrying injured students to the university medical centre.
He transported 83 students one after another in his battery-run autorickshaw, without charging a single taka.
“সেদিন কেউ টাকা দেননি, আমিও চাইনি। বিবেকই আমাকে চালিয়েছে। পরে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় প্রশাসন আমাকে ডেকে স্বেচ্ছায় টাকা ও পুরস্কার দিয়েছে। আমি কিছু চাইনি। তবে আমার পরিবারের সদস্যরাও বিষয়টি জেনে খুশি হয়েছেন।”
Translation: “That day, no one gave me money, and I did not ask for it. My conscience drove me. Later, the university administration voluntarily gave me money and a prize. I did not want anything. But my family members were happy when they heard about it.”
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Facing Danger and Misunderstanding
Rubel explained that when he first entered the area, the students mistook him for a villager. They even attacked him and broke his autorickshaw key. Still, he did not back down and continued to help the students.
“শিক্ষার্থীরা আমার ভাই বা আত্মীয়ের মতো। তাঁদের কারণেই তো আমার সংসার চলে। শিক্ষার্থী না থাকলে আমাদের আয়-রোজগার হতো কীভাবে?”
Translation: “Students are like my brothers or relatives. My family survives because of them. Without students, how would we earn our living?”
Hungry but Unstoppable
Autorickshaw Driver Rubel recalled that he worked tirelessly until late afternoon without eating anything. He was too busy helping the injured to think about food.
“বিকেল সাড়ে চারটা পর্যন্ত তিনি কিছু খাননি। পরে একজন শিক্ষার্থী অনেকটা জোর করে তাঁকে বিস্কুট আর পানি খাওয়ান।”
Translation: “I did not eat anything until 4:30 pm. Later, one student almost forced me to eat biscuits and drink water.”
His Life and Struggles
Autorickshaw Driver Rubel has been driving autorickshaws at Chittagong University since 2013. He lives with his wife, a four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and a three-year-old son. On normal days, he earns between 300 to 500 taka, which supports his entire family.
Despite his limited income, he chose to stand by the students in their time of need.
Recognition for Humanity
Chittagong University authorities later rewarded Rubel for his extraordinary courage and kindness.
Assistant Proctor Nurul Hamid said:
“রুবেল চিন্তা ও মননে মানবিক। সংঘর্ষে আহত ৮৩ শিক্ষার্থীকে বিনা ভাড়ায় চিকিৎসাকেন্দ্রে নেওয়ার মাধ্যমে তিনি অনন্য নজির স্থাপন করেছেন। তাঁর সরলতা, সততা ও দায়িত্ববোধের জন্যই এই পুরস্কার দেওয়া হয়েছে।”
Translation: “Rubel is humane in thought and mind. By taking 83 injured students to the medical center without charging fare, he set a unique example. His simplicity, honesty, and sense of responsibility are the reasons we honoured him.”
Source: Prothom Alo
