The nation pays heartfelt tribute to the Language Movement martyrs and heroes on Language Martyrs’ Day on February 21 every year.
But very few programs or events commemorate, or even recognize the important role of the female protesters during the 1952 Language Movement.
During that time, many female students and professionals played a key role to further strengthen the movement.
A number of researchers and Language Movement heroes told the Dhaka Tribune that their female counterparts did not get due recognition from the nation.
Women took to the streets when men hesitated
Dhaka University Associate Professor Mohammad Humayun Kabir, in his writing titled “Bhasha Andolon o Nari (Language movement and women)” mentioned that female participation in the movement started in the year 1948.
Quoting the then top female language movement leader Begjadi Mahmuda, Nasir said: “The female students were requested by History Department final year student Abdur Rahman Chowdhury to continue the language movement on the streets, as the male students were not being allowed on the streets by the then law enforcers.
“They male protesters were concerned that continuation of the situation could halt their movement.”
The female students consented to the proposal and continue the movement on behalf their male counterparts.
Hamida Rahman of Jessore had written a letter titled, “State Language of East Pakistan” in a pro-communist party newspaper named Sadhinota, where she boldly stated: “Why should Bangla not be the state language of 45 million people?”
Many female professors such as Shamsunnahar Mahmud, Lila Roy and Anawara Chowdhury signed a letter urging the then Pakistani government to make Bangla the state language.
Protiva Motsuddi, a female language movement hero, currently living in Tangail told the Dhaka tribune that although 65 years have passed after the historic event, hardly any records can be found of the valiant role of the women.Women helping the cause from behind the sceneBadruddin Umar, in his book titled “Language Movement of East Bangla and the then politics” wrote that many female teachers and professors including Dr Halima Khatun and Dr Sufia Khatun organised girls from educational institutions of Old Dhaka to participate in the movement.
Quoting the first female national professor of Bangladesh, Sufia Ahmed, Associate Professor Mohmmad Humayun Kabir wrote: “When the male protesters were attacked by the law enforcers and were arrested, Sarbojonin Bhasa Andolon Parishad (Council for language movement) leaders decided to send out the female protesters to see what would be the reaction of the police, but the police did not spare them.”
The female demonstrators were beaten by the police on the streets.Many female leaders, activists yet to be acknowledged
Ahmad Rafiq, a veteran language hero, told the Dhaka Tribune with deep regret: “We have failed to catalogue the role of the language movement leaders and activists.”
He pointed out the women played two key roles in the movement, first in collecting funds, and then in attending demonstrations ignoring resistance from their family members.
History professor Muntasir Mamun stated: “We must carefully preserve our history. The full recognition the brave men and women behind the 1952 Language Movement is yet to be completed.”
