Inqilab, azadi not words that belong in Bangla: Minister Tuku
The minister highlighted the rich history of the Bengali language and urged people to build their own language and culture
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku has said that the Bengali language has no connection with the words 'Inqilab' and 'Azadi'.
"If the people of Bangladesh truly embrace Bangla as their mother tongue, slogans like 'Inqilab Zindabad' should not continue," he said at a discussion held on the occasion of Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day at the Sirajganj District Shilpakala Academy auditorium this afternoon (21 February).
The minister said that today's children often say 'Inqilab Zindabad', but it is the language of those who once tried to take away the right to speak Bangla. "It makes my heart bleed to hear them say 'Inqilab Zindabad'. I consider myself a nationalist from head to toe," he added.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Tuku said some may brand him an agent of India or RAW for his remarks, but he stressed that he fought in the Liberation War and became a minister because this country was born. "We must be trained, not just talk, to love our country. Only then can the Bengali language be truly protected," he said.
He added that nationalism did not fully develop among Bengalis because people did not try to understand their own language. "Inqilab and Azadi, which are not our language, have become the words of our children. Even after the mass uprising of 2024, we could not protect our language because we were not careful about history. A nation that does not know its history cannot progress," he said.
The minister highlighted the rich history of the Bengali language and urged people to build their own language and culture. "Celebrating February 21 with flowers, songs, meetings and seminars is not enough. Efforts must go beyond the ceremonies," he said.
Commenting on Jamaat-e-Islami, he said the party had influenced households, particularly among half-educated mothers and sisters, which affected voting patterns.
The event was presided over by Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner, Md. Aminul Islam, and the keynote address was delivered by former principal of Sirajganj Government College, Karuna Rani Saha.
