Samier Mansur asserts that the Language Movement was about more than economic and political grievances – that it was, in fact, a culmination of its 2,500 years of history of pluralism.
Born and raised in Washington, DC, Samier, 29, retains very strong ties with his Bangladeshi heritage. He is the founder of the Bangladesh Pluralism Project, and initiative dedicated to a more open, inclusive, and globally engaged Bangladesh. He has also made a short film called “Reawaken the Legacy: Celebrating Bangladesh’s Unique Identity.”
The Dhaka Tribune interviewed Samier about his take, as an advocate of pluralism, on Language Day.
What is pluralism, and how does it relate to Bangladesh?
Pluralism embraces the diversity of ideas and identities. It allows people to express themselves freely, and to contribute towards the social and economic progress of a nation. It is a foundational pillar of democracy.
Historically, the region of Bengal has been an exemplar of the pluralist ethic.
Bengal’s remarkable ability to harmonise its early diversity of ethnicities, religions and ideas contributed directly to its emergence as an early hub of international commerce, intellectual sophistication, and economic prosperity as early as two thousand years ago.
Without the ability to harmonise diversity within Bangladesh and around the greater region, the future growth and stability of the nation will suffer.
What does Bangla signify in this pluralist society?
More than just a language. Bangla emerged as the very symbol behind the unification of a people and nation. While the state of Bangladesh is new and emergent on the political stage, Bengal as a nation can trace its cultural roots back thousands of years.
The Bangla language is a living, breathing genetic code – a dynamic representation of its rich history, shaped by its colourful Hindu, Buddhist, Persian, Islamic, and European influences of near and ancient past.
Why does the Language Movement matter?
It is remarkable, even unprecedented that a national movement would rally around the banner of language.
In the case of Bangladesh, this was not wholly surprising. The very nature of Bengal’s long history has been one of cultural openness and acceptance of religious and ethnic plurality.
When the Pakistan government challenged this script by imposing one language – Urdu, and one script – Arabic in the name of national unity and religion, it was strongly rejected by the masses as an attempt to negate the very foundations of Bengal’s syncretic identity.
The Language Movement was thus formed as a way to reaffirm Bengal’s national identity and cultural expression, and protect this rich heritage from political and cultural annihilation.
Rabindranath Tagore once remarked that the poisonous ideologies of religious extremism would find no welcome foothold in the tolerant grounds of Bengal. Half a century later, his prediction would be upheld in the legacy of the Language Movement.
What lessons are there in that story, not just for Bangladesh but for the world?
Today, Bangla is the seventh most spoken language in the world. It connects more than 190 million people, and can serve as a bridge to link Bangladesh with the broader region. With influences from its Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, and European past, the Bangla language and culture is one that is truly global and international in scope.
This holds tremendously positive implications for Bangladesh if it can harness its cultural goodwill and coordinate a geopolitical strategy to forge deeper and more meaningful economic relations with the broader region.
Presently, the waters from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific serve as the world’s busiest hub of international trade. With all the benefits of language, religious and ethnic plurality, geography, and access to natural resources at its disposal, is there any excuse for Bangladesh not to thrive as a contributing member of the 21st century world community?
A thousand years ago Bengal was the cultural and economic heart of South and Southeast Asia. It’s time Bangladesh puts itself on track to enjoy the same levels of prosperity, prestige, and global inclusion it once enjoyed.