Ruhul Amin, once a brilliant student, has spent the last 15 years chained in a small room at his home in Rupganj, Narayanganj. He lost his mental balance just two days after completing his Dakhil (SSC equivalent) exams in 2010. Ironically, when the results were published, he had achieved GPA-5.
Ruhul, the youngest of four brothers, is the son of Idris Ali from the remote Jangir Darkabar Tech area in Rupganj Sadar Union. He memorised the entire Quran at the local Ahmadia Fazil Madrasah and had earned third place in a national Azan competition in 2006.
Toward the end of his Dakhil exams, he began to show signs of illness. His family had planned to consult a doctor after the exams, but his condition worsened rapidly.
Due to financial hardship and behavioural issues caused by his mental condition, his family had no choice but to keep him chained in a room for safety.
His father is ill and unable to work, while his elder brothers work low-paying jobs as a CNG driver, house painter, and plumber.
Despite efforts to seek help from both doctors and traditional healers, consistent treatment was never possible due to poverty.
With community help, Ruhul was admitted to the National Institute of Mental Health in Dhaka in 2018. Though his condition improved slightly after two months of inpatient care, he had to return home because of financial constraints.
Local residents remember him as a highly talented boy. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Saiful Islam stated that the administration would offer full support if the family approached them for medical help.
