This year, there was no gathering of language lovers from both Bengals on International Mother Language Day.
Every year on February 21, a reunion took place at the no-man’s land of Benapole checkpost in Jessore, where emotionally connected people from both countries would embrace each other with floral garlands, united by their love for language.
Wearing black badges and having the words "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February" painted on their faces, people used to gather with colorful festoons, banners, placards, and flowers, transforming the no-man’s land into an emotionally charged space.
For a brief moment, they would embrace one another, forgetting all differences.
Overcoming geographical borders and disregarding barbed-wire fences, people would flock to the Ekushey gathering, solely driven by their love for language.
Various social and cultural organizations from both India and Bangladesh participated in the event. Thousands of people would crowd the Petrapole and Benapole checkposts, momentarily blurring the international boundary.
Every year, the no-man’s land at Benapole was adorned with colorful decorations ahead of February 21.
A temporary Shaheed Minar was built at the site, where thousands from both countries would place floral tributes from early morning. United by emotions and love for language, they would forget the border dividing them.
However, this year on February 21, the Bangladesh-India border at Benapole did not witness the usual scene. In the past, government representatives and ministers from both nations would visit each other’s countries to lay wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
But after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, no joint event was organized at the no-man’s land this time. Some returning travelers from India mentioned that a small ceremony was held at Petrapole.
Regarding this, Alhaj Nuruzzaman Liton, general secretary of Sharsha upazila BNP, said: "After the fall of the fascist government in the country, political tensions between the two nations have prevented the Ekushey gathering at Benapole Checkpost’s no-man’s land this year.”
He added: “However, a small event was held at Petrapole. If the political situation improves, the Ekushey event will resume next year."
