Nation set to pay homage to language martyrs

The nation is set to observe the 'Shaheed Dibash' (Language Martyrs Day) and the International Mother Language Day tomorrow with extensive programmes.

People from all walks of life will pay glowing tributes to the memories of language movement martyrs, the valiant sons of the soil who made supreme sacrifices to establish the rights of the mother tongue, Bangla, in 1952.

The day will also be observed around the world as the UNESCO recognised the 21 February as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.

The government has already taken extensive programmes to observe the 'Shaheed Dibash' and the International Mother Language Day on February 21 in a befitting manner.

The day is a public holiday.

In observance of the day in a befitting manner, the Central Shaheed Minar premises is being decorated with paintings, graffiti, buntings and selected verses on the mother language.

Four-tier security will be enforced around the main altar of the Shaheed Minar, its adjoining areas and Azimpur graveyard of the language martyrs.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead the nation by paying homage to the Language Movement heroes by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours.

The President and the Prime Minister issued separate messages on the eve of the day, paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement of 1952.

Different political-social-cultural-professional organisations will arrange various programmes, including seminars and cultural functions, to observe the Amar (immortal) Ekushey and International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.

Quran Khwani and offering Fateha will be held at Azimpur graveyard in the city while prayers will be arranged at all worship places across the country seeking salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs of the Language Movement.

The programmes include placing of wreaths at the central Shaheed Minar at one-minute past zero hours (Thursday midnight), hoisting at half-mast the national and party flags at its offices across the country and Bangabandhu Bhaban and hoisting black flags in the morning, wearing black badges and placing wreaths on the graves of martyrs at Azimpur graveyard with Provat Feri as a mark of respect to the Language Movement martyrs.

In observance of the day, ruling Awami League would take a two-day
programme. The party will organise a discussion at Bangabandhu International
Conference Centre in the city at 3 pm on February 22. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to
chair the discussion.

Like previous years, Dhaka University (DU) authorities will organise the programmes at the Central Shaheed Minar in coordination with other relevant agencies.

National dailies will publish special supplements marking the day and Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private radio stations and television channels will air special programmes on the occasion.

On February 21 in 1952, Salam, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar and Barkat embraced martyrdom in police firing in front of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) as they took to the street to intensify the campaign to establish Bangla as the state language of the then Pakistan, sowing the seeds of subsequent movements for the country's independence.

They were killed as police opened fire on students, demonstrating under the All-Party Students Action Committee against conspiracies of Pakistani rulers to declare "Urdu" as the only state language.

The movement for Bangla, however, did not stop and Pakistan government on February 29, 1956 was compelled to recognise Bangla as one of the state languages besides Urdu.

The decision, however, could not stop the movement against repression and misrule of Pakistani government and subsequently led to the War of Independence and ultimately the emergence of Bangladesh.