Nation remembers language heroes

The nation is observing National Martyrs' Day and the International Mother Language Day early today (21 February), marking the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of our mother tongue, Bangla.

The day is also being observed around the world as Unesco recognised 21 February as International Mother Language Day on 17 November 1999.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Language Movement early today by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

The prime minister arrived at the Shaheed Minar at 12:04am and placed a wreath there at around 12:07am.

He stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the language heroes.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.

He arrived at the Shaheed Minar at 11:59pm yesterday and placed a wreath as the clock struck 12:01am.

Walking barefoot to Dhaka's Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers, singing "Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February," people from all walks of life are paying their respect to the heroes of the Language Movement who sacrificed their lives for achieving the recognition of Bangla as the state language of erstwhile Pakistan.

On 21 February 1952, students and the general public in Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then Pakistani government's denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan.

Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave youths were killed in police firings on this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus breaching Section 144 to press home their demand for the recognition of Bangla as a state language of then Pakistan.

The day is a public holiday.

In a message on the eve of the day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended his sincere greetings and congratulations to all Bangla-speaking people as well as speakers of all languages and ethnic groups across the world.

"The movement to protect the mother tongue not only established linguistic rights but also strengthened the foundations of the Bengali people's struggle for self-rule, democracy and cultural identity. Following the blood-stained path of 21 February, the nation eventually achieved independence through the great Liberation War," he said.

The prime minister said the government aims to build a self-reliant, secure, humane and democratic state by upholding the aspirations of all martyrs, including the language martyrs, those who laid down their lives in the Liberation War of 1971, the struggle to protect independence in 2024 and all democratic movements in the country.

He called upon all concerned to work together to uphold the dignity of all languages across the world.

National dailies have published supplements marking the day, while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television, as well as private radio stations and television channels, will air special programmes on the occasion.