The 21st February is regarded as a memorable day in the history of Bangladesh. It is the day in 1952 when the people of Bangladesh sacrificed their lives for the sake of their mother tongue. On this day, the people bow their heads as a token of deep love and respect to the language martyrs. This immortal 21st February was declared by the UNESCO as the International Mother Language Day.
Our Language Movement day or 21st February was recognized as the International Mother Language Day by the UNESCO in November 1999. Considering the Bengalese Nationalism and the importance of the day, the UNESCO has declared it so. The recognition of this day by the UNESCO has increased the glory of our nation in the whole world.
The day has a historic background. After the birth of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah declared¬–“Urdu and only Urdu will be the state language of Pakistan.” All classes of people of erstwhile East Pakistan raised a strong protest against this declaration. The people took to the streets chanting slogans and the struggle took a very serious turn. The ruling class became furious and imposed section 144 all over the country and banned all meetings and processions. But on the 21st February, 1952, the students and the public defied section 144 and brought out of a procession from Dhaka University campus. The brutal police shot at the procession indiscriminately. As a result, many brave sons of the soil like Rafiq, Salam, Barkat, Shafiq, Jabbar died. But the Bengalese did not step back. Rather the movement became sot strong then that the ruling class was forced to recognize ‘Bangla’ as one of the state languages of the then Pakistan.
The importance of 21st February is great to the people of Bangladesh. During the observance of the national flag is kept half-mast atop all public and private buildings. People from all walks of life place floral wreaths on the Central ‘Shaheed Minar’. People throughout the country erect ‘Shaheed Minar’ and on this day put garlands of flowers on its altar as mark of profound respect. BTV and Bangladesh ‘Betar’ broadcast special programmes.
People of Bangladesh can never forget this day. This immortal 21st February is now being observed throughout the world as the ‘International Mother Language Day’ as a token of respect to the supreme sacrifice of the language movement. This day has elevated our image in the international community.
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