Language movement awakens sense of nationalism, unity: Tarique

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has described 21 February as an unforgettable chapter of the nation's history and said the great language movement always awakens the sense of nationalism and unity.   

"The language movement awakens our sense of nationalism and unity. The great language movement is the first step towards achieving the nation's freedom movement," he said in a Facebook post yesterday ahead of International Mother Language Day.

Tarique remembered all the martyrs with deep respect saying, "On the blood-stained 21 February, Dhaka University students shed their fresh blood to protect our mother tongue.  Many including Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, and Jabbar sacrificed their lives on that day. 21 February is now observed as the International Mother Language Day around the globe." 

He added, "Language movement in 1952 intensified the path towards the country's all democratic and self-determination struggles, ultimately leading to our national independence through a bloody war. The people were freed from shackles and regained a sovereign land." 

"Despite the country's independence, authoritarian forces continue to conspire to impose their dominance over our language and culture, with an aim to serve a particular group, so that we cannot stand tall in the global community," Tarique said. 

However, the people of this country have consistently resisted both the domestic and foreign conspiracies with unprecedented courage, he added.