Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day-2026 were observed across Chittagong city and district on Saturday with solemn respect, honoring the heroes of the historic Language Movement.
Government offices, socio-cultural organizations, political parties, professional bodies, volunteer groups, and educational institutions participated in the observance, pledging to uphold a prosperous, democratic, and discrimination-free Bangladesh.
Thousands of people from all walks of life walked barefoot to the newly constructed central Shaheed Minar, carrying flowers and wreaths to pay tribute to the language movement martyrs.
They chanted the iconic line, "Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami ki Bhulite Pari," as they honored the memory of the martyrs.
The district administration organized a series of events, including wreath-laying ceremonies at the Shaheed Minar, flying national flags at half-mast on government and private buildings, discussion meetings, Quran recitations, special prayers, and essay and painting competitions for schoolchildren.
The official program commenced at one minute past midnight with the city mayor placing a floral wreath at the central Shaheed Minar altar, followed by a moment of silence in honor of the language heroes.
Newly elected MPs Abu Sufian and Earshed Ullah, along with other dignitaries including Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin, deputy inspector general of Police, Chittagong range, Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police, Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Zahidul Islam Mian, Chairman of Chittagong Development Authority Engineer Nurul Karim, and District Police Superintendents of Chittagong city's north and south units, paid their respects by laying wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Political parties and organizations, including Chittagong City BNP, North and South BNP district units, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Student's Movement against Discrimination, Chittagong Press Club, Chittagong Metropolitan Union of Journalists (CMUJ), and Chittagong District Bar Association, also placed floral wreaths at the monument.
A smart contingent of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) presented a guard of honor at the Shaheed Minar at the start of the observance.
In the morning, students from schools, colleges, universities, and socio-cultural organizations, carrying colorful banners, festoons, and placards, laid floral tributes at the Shaheed Minar.
Vice-Chancellors of Chittagong University (CU) and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) paid homage to the martyrs by placing wreaths at their respective Shaheed Minars.
Special prayers were also offered at mosques, temples, churches, and other places of worship across the district, seeking divine blessings for peace and the salvation of the departed souls of the language martyrs.
