Bangladesh on Tuesday recalled the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day 71 years back with a fresh call for recognizing Bangla as one of the UN official languages, marking Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day.
Thousands of people clad in black and white dresses especially traditional Sharees and Panjabees, thronged the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka since midnight to pay their glowing tributes to the 1952 language martyrs.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid their tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka at midnight, while the immortal song on Amar Ekushey- "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February"- was being played on the loudspeaker.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneThey stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memories of the language heroes.
Later, on behalf of the Awami League, its President Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the language martyrs by placing a wreath at the Shaheed Minar.
Deputy Leader of the House Begum Matia Chowdhury, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, presidium members Dr Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Quamrul Islam, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, among others, were present on the occasion.
Then, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar.
On behalf of leader of the opposition in parliament Begum Rowshan Ershad, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader placed a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Dhaka South City mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and chiefs of three services also placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Later, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dhaka University (DU) vice chancellor, chiefs of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and BGB, and foreign ambassadors to Bangladesh paid tributes to the language martyrs by placing wreaths there.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneDifferent political parties and socio-cultural organizations, Sector Commanders Forum, war-wounded freedom fighters of the Liberation War, the attorney general, DU Teachers' Association, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Fire Service and Civil Defence also paid homage to the language martyrs.
Among the political parties and student organizations, the Workers Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, BNP, Samyabadi Dal, Gono Forum, Dhaka city south and north units of Awami League, Jubo League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Swechchhasebak League, Mahila Awami League, Jubo Mahila League, and others paid homage to the language martyrs.
Among the social, professional, and cultural organizations and institutions, Bangla Academy, Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU), Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, Central Khelaghar Asar, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Gobeshona Parishad, Amra Muktijoddhar Shantan, DU Senate members and Dhaka University Journalists' Association paid tributes to the language heroes.
To mark the day, the ruling Awami League kept the national and party flags half-mast and hoisted black flags atop the party's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue and Bangabandhu Bhaban and other unit offices of the party across the country at 6:30am on Tuesday.
Later, the party leaders and activists wore black badges at 7am while the ruling party brought out a morning procession, led by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, in Dhaka.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneAt first, the procession joined by Awami League leaders and activists went to Azimpur Graveyard and paid glowing tributes to the language heroes, including Abul Barkat, Abdul Jabber, and Shafiur, by a wreath.
Later, the procession ended at the Central Shaheed Minar by placing another wreath at the altar of the Shaheed Minar.
Marking the day, the highest security measures were enforced in and around the Central Shaheed Minar and Dhaka University campus to avoid any unwanted situation.
The Central Shaheed Minar and its adjacent areas of the Dhaka University campus were decorated with street paintings and graffiti with Bangla alphabets and selected verses of eminent poets about the mother languages on the walls.
Earlier, on Monday, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages paying rich tributes to martyrs of the Language Movement.
The day is also being observed worldwide as Unesco recognized International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.
Bangladeshi missions abroad are also observing the day in a befitting manner.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneOn this day, the national flag is kept at half-mast in all educational institutions, government, semi-government and autonomous offices, and private buildings across the country.
Besides, offering Fateha, Quran Khawani, Milad Mahfil, and special munajat were offered at Azimpur Graveyard in the capital for the martyrs of the Language Movement while special prayers were arranged at all places of worship across the country seeking eternal peace of language martyrs.
To mark the day, Islamic Foundation (IF) organized Quran Khawani, discussion, doa, and special prayers at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque here today, seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of martyrs.
In line with the national programs, the day was also observed at all educational institutions, city corporations,, the district and upazila administrations, and Bangladesh missions abroad. The day was a public holiday.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneBangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private radio stations and television channels aired special programs while national dailies published special supplements, highlighting the significance of the day.
Besides, children, students, and elderly people were allowed to visit the National Museum and its affiliated branch museums and all the archeological sites and museums under the Department of Archaeology free of cost.
On February 21 in 1952, students and people from all walks of life under the Sarbadaliya Chhatra Sangram Parishad took to the streets in Dhaka to protest the then Pakistan government's refusal to recognize Bangla as one of the state languages and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan.
Salam, Barkat, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar, and others embraced martyrdom when police opened fire on the procession in front of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneThe movement for Bangla, however, did not stop and the Pakistan government on February 29, 1956, was compelled to recognize Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan besides Urdu.
The decision, however, could not stop the movement against repression and misrule of the then-Pakistani government and subsequently led to the War of Intendance and ultimately the emergence of independent Bangladesh.
