As the midnight bell chimed and the familiar tune of “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano” wafted through the air, the nation honored the martyrs of the Language Movement. This was a solemn tribute to those who gave their lives in 1952 for the recognition of Bangla as a state language – the language heroes.
The Ekushey remembrance commenced with the laying of wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman led the nation in paying respects just after midnight, marking Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day. They were welcomed by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan.
At 12:01 am, the president placed a wreath and stood in silent tribute. The prime minister arrived at the Shaheed Minar at 12:04 am, laid his wreath around 12:07 am, and observed a moment of silence in honor of the language heroes, followed by a prayer.
Later, Tarique led his cabinet colleagues to lay another wreath and placed one as chairman of the BNP. At 12:18 am, he, along with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, paid tributes on behalf of the family.
Following the prime minister’s departure, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman led his 11-party alliance in laying a wreath at 12:23 am and offering a prayer. Leaders of the alliance, including National Citizen Party’s Nahid Islam and Hasnat Abdullah, were with him.
Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan also placed a wreath. Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, foreign diplomats, invited guests, senior military and civil officials, and Dhaka University teachers paid their respects.
Subsequently, people from various backgrounds, barefoot and wearing black badges, approached the memorial with flowers, bowing in reverence.
On this day in 1952, students and citizens challenged Section 144, taking to the streets of Dhaka to protest the Pakistani government’s refusal to acknowledge Bangla as a state language and its imposition of Urdu as the sole state language of Pakistan. Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar, and others were fatally shot by the police during a procession from Dhaka University campus.
Their sacrifice sparked a spirit of resistance, inspiring the nation’s pursuit of rights and eventual independence.
February 21 is recognized globally as International Mother Language Day by UNESCO since 1999.
In their separate messages for the occasion, the president and the prime minister emphasized the importance of preserving linguistic diversity through collective efforts.
The prime minister urged everyone to safeguard the country’s language heritage, promote Bangla cultivation, and preserve cultural identity. He reiterated the government’s dedication to promoting democracy, honoring the Language Martyrs, the heroes of 1971, the victims of the 2024 mass uprising, and all who fought for democratic principles.
The day is a public holiday, with the national flag flying at half-mast at educational institutions, government and autonomous offices, and private establishments nationwide.
Special supplements have been published in newspapers, television channels are broadcasting special programs, and the cultural affairs ministry and social and cultural groups are organizing commemorations throughout the country.
