Rafia Sultana Rafi, senior joint convener of the Bogura district unit of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a former Dhaka University student, passed away early Wednesday at the age of 32.
She died at around 3:00am on April 8 in the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Dhaka, after her condition deteriorated rapidly following sudden illness.
Family and party sources said she was admitted to the hospital at about 10:00pm on Tuesday. Despite immediate medical attention, Rafi could not be saved. She is survived by her husband and two daughters.
Rafi was a student of the 2012-13 session in the Department of Islamic History and Culture at Dhaka University. During her student life, she actively participated in political struggles and movements.
She contested the 2019 Rokeya Hall student union elections for the post of vice-president and was actively involved in the 2018 quota reform movement as well as the July 2024 uprising.
In her political career, she joined the National Citizen Party and rose to serve as senior joint convener of its Bogura district unit. She also played a key role as a founding joint convener of the Gana Adhikar Parishad.
Her untimely death has cast a shadow over the NCP and its affiliated political circles. Party leaders at both central and district levels expressed deep shock and sorrow. They prayed for her eternal peace and extended condolences to her bereaved family.
Her Namaz-e-Janaza is scheduled to be held after Asr on Thursday at her father’s residence in Atbaria Pirgachha, Gabtoli upazila, Bogura. A special prayer will also take place at the Bogura district NCP office after Isha seeking peace for her soul.
