Democratic values, people's rights core spirit of Ekushey: PM Tarique
“The spirit of Ekushey has now turned into a global movement to protect linguistic dignity,” he says.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (20 February) said democratic values, people's rights and equality were the core spirit of Ekushey, adding that the government is committed to consolidating the country's democratic progress.
In a message marking Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day, to be observed tomorrow, he also called for collective efforts to uphold and protect the dignity of languages worldwide.
"The establishment of democratic values, people's rights and equality was the core spirit of Ekushey. Upholding this spirit, democracy has now been restored in the country after a long struggle. The present government is committed to consolidating this democratic progress," the prime minister said.
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On the occasion of the Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day, he extend sincere greetings and congratulations to people of all languages and ethnic groups across the world, including speakers of Bangla.
The prime minister paid deep tribute to all martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement whose sacrifices established the dignity of Bangla as a mother language.
Mentioning that 21 February an unforgettable chapter in the national life, the Prime Minister said Abul Barkat, Abdus Salam, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed and Abdul Jabbar, among others, embraced martyrdom on this day in 1952 while fighting to protect the dignity of Bangla.
He said their sacrifices marked the first step towards the liberation of the then East Bengal from long oppression and domination, and strengthened the foundation of Bangalees' rights, democracy and cultural identity. "The path of Ekushey eventually led to the Liberation War and the independence of Bangladesh."
Tarique said Bangla is the main carrier of national identity and that Unesco recognised 21 February as International Mother Language Day in honour of the nation's sacrifice and love for the mother tongue. "The spirit of Ekushey has now turned into a global movement to protect linguistic dignity."
He said the government wants to build a self-reliant, safe and humane democratic state by upholding the aspirations of language martyrs, the martyrs of 1971 and all those who sacrificed their lives in democratic movements over the years.
The prime minister called for preserving the country's language diversity and ensuring proper use and practice of Bangla at all levels while safeguarding culture and heritage.
He prayed for the salvation of all language martyrs and wished success of all programmes taken marking the Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day.
