The premises of the Central Shaheed Minar was covered with paintings of the Bangla alphabet
People from all walks of life, both at home and abroad, yesterday observed Amar Ekushey, the International Mother Language Day, paying homage to the martyrs of the 1952 Language movement.
Since dawn, thousands of people, including children and foreigners, began gathering at the capital’s Central Shaheed Minar to show their deepest respect for those who sacrificed their lives for the recognition of Bangla as the state language of what was then East Pakistan.
On February 21, 1952, Salam, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar and Barkat embraced martyrdom when police opened fire on a protest rally in front of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital area that had been demanding Bangla be the state language. The protests began after a conspiracy of the then leaders of Pakistan to declare Urdu the only state language.
People of all ages were seen in an enthusiastic mood, wearing black badges and holding bouquets and banners and singing “Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February” in chorus, as they went forward to place flowers and bouquets at the altar of the Shaheed Minar, to expressed their love for mother tongue, Bangla.
The premises of the Central Shaheed Minar was covered with paintings of the Bangla alphabet, and banners recognising the Language Movement, while the entire area was decorated in a very festive manner.
In early hours of Friday, the paying of homage to the language martyrs began with President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placing wreaths at the Shaheed Minar at one minute past midnight.
Later, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and leaders of other political parties, teachers, student, diplomats and representatives of various organisations, paid homage to the martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, many of the people visiting the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday emphasised the need to love one’s language and to use Bangla in every sphere of life.
“Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and Shafiur have laid down their lives because of their deep love for their mother tongue, Bangla. If we want to respect them, we have to love our mother tongue,” said Tasmia Jannat Labonno, a student of class six at Dhaka Cantonment Girls School and College.
Vice Chancellor of Jagannath University Mizanur Rahman said: “We have to use Bangla everywhere”.
Chief Justice Mohammad Mozammel Hossain said the use of Bangla has been introduced in some court cases, and added: “If we try, it is possible to introduce Bangla in all court verdicts.”
“It is really very impressive to see so many people paying their respects to the language martyrs,” Hi Kari, a female teacher from Japan, told the Dhaka Tribune.
“I feel very happy to be here,” she added.
Talking to journalists, acting BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir said: “The country’s democracy is now at stake. Peoples’ right to vote has been snatched.”
“We have to make a new pledge to bring back the voting rights of the people, and we have to protect our sovereignty,” Fakrul added.
After placing wreaths, Communication Minister Obaidul Quader said: “We should not see Ekushey February as a formality, rather we should take lessons from the Language Movement and bring a positive trend to our country’s politics.” Obaidul, is also a presidium member of the ruling Awami League.
Just as the day is also observed across the country, Bangladesh’s missions in different countries observed the day in a befitting manner, including in India’s New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, the Pakistani capital Islamabad, the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, and in New York and Washington DC in the US.
Hundreds of people paid tribute to the Shaheed Minar built near the house of Rafiq, the first martyr in Language Movement, at Paril in Manikganj.
In Comilla, two groups of the district’s Awami League were locked in a clash after an argument began over the placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu. During the clash, several shots were fired and a number of crude bombs were exploded. Five leaders and activists of the district AL were hurt in the incident.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
