[🇧🇩] 21st February---Our Language Movement Day

Date of Event: Feb 21, 2025

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/president-ca-pay-homage-language-heroes-3829691

President, CA pay homage to language heroes

Photo: PID

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus have paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement, marking the Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day.

They separately paid homage by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital after 12:01am today, reports BSS.

The president and chief adviser stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the Language Heroes.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan welcomed them upon their arrival at the Central Shaheed Minar.

Advisers to the interim government, chief justice, chiefs of the three services, freedom fighters, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

Photo: Rashed Shumon/Star

Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public when hundreds of people from all walks of life placed flowers to recall the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in 1952.

The day will also be observed around the world since UNESCO recognised the 21st February (Ekushey February) as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.

This year's UNESCO topic of the day is "Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development".

Earlier, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today issued a message paying rich tribute to people of all languages in the world, including Bangla, on the occasion of the great Martyrs' Day and the International Mother Language Day-2025.

In his message, he said the Bengali nation, which had endured centuries of enslavement and domination, achieved its first victory in its struggle for independence on February 21, 1952.

The language movement holds special significance in the history of the Bengali nation's liberation movement, he added.

Photo: Rashed Shumon/Star

The day's programmes include: paying respect to language martyrs by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar beside Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and other local Shaheed Minars across the country at one minute past zero hour, holding discussions highlighting the significance of February 21, wearing black badge, keeping national flag half mast, hoisting black flag atop the buildings, paying tributes to the martyr's graves in City's Azimpur and bringing out "Provat Feri".

The day is a public holiday.

In observance of the day, the Central Shaheed Minar premises was decorated with paintings, graffiti, buntings and selected verses in the mother language.

Tight security measures have been enforced around the Central Shaheed Minar, its adjoining areas and Azimpur graveyard of the language martyrs.

Different political, social, cultural, professional bodies have taken various programmes including cultural functions to observe the Amar Ekushey in a befitting manner.

The national flags will be kept half-mast at all the buildings of government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations and educational institutions.

All educational institutions, local government bodies, district and upazila administrations, Bangladesh missions abroad will take proper measures to observe the day.

Fateha and Qurankhwani will be offered at Azimpur graveyard and special prayers will be arranged at mosques and all other places of prayers across the country seeking eternal peace of the souls of the language martyrs.

On the occasion, road islands and other important places in the capital will be decorated with festoons inscribed with letters of different languages including Bangla.

Public and private media will air special programme while newspapers will publish special supplements marking the day.

Bangladesh missions abroad will organise different programmes, including placing wreaths at Shaheed Minar, discussions on Bangabandhu and Language Movement, and book and photo exhibitions where diplomats of different countries and Bangladeshi expatriates will join.

Marking the day, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kabi Nazrul Institute, National Book Centre, Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh National Museum, Department of Archaeology, Department of Public Libraries, International Mother Language Institute, Department of Archives and Library, Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Small Ethnic Groups Cultural Institute, three districts in hill tracts, Tribal Cultural Academy in Birishiri of Netrokona, Rajshahi Divisional Ethnic Minority Cultural Academy (RDEMCA), Manipuri Lalitkala Academy, Cox's Bazar Cultural Centre and other organisations and institutions will organise various events.

On February 21 in 1952, Salam, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar and Barkat embraced martyrdom in police firing in front of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) as they took to the street to intensify the campaign to establish Bangla as the state language of the then Pakistan, sowing the seeds of subsequent movements for the country's independence.

They were killed as police opened fire on students demonstrating under the All-Party Students Action Committee against conspiracies of Pakistani rulers to declare "Urdu" as the only state language.

The movement for Bangla, however, did not stop and Pakistan government on February 29, 1956 was compelled to recognise Bangla as one of the state languages besides Urdu.

The decision, however, could not stop the movement against repression and misrule of Pakistani government that subsequently led the Bangalee to the War of Independence and the emergence of Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

Language movement awakens sense of nationalism, unity: Tarique

Tarique prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls of the 1952 language martyrs and extended his condolences to the members of their bereaved families

www.thedailystar.net

Language movement awakens sense of nationalism, unity: Tarique

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has described February 21 as an unforgettable chapter of the nation's history and said the great language movement always awakens the sense of nationalism and unity.

"The language movement awakens our sense of nationalism and unity. The great language movement is the first step towards achieving the nation's freedom movement," he said in a Facebook post last afternoon marking the International Mother Language Day.

Tarique said, "On the blood-stained February 21, Dhaka University students shed their fresh blood to protect our mother tongue. Many including Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, and Jabbar sacrificed lives on that day."

He said February 21 is now observed as the International Mother Language Day around the globe.

Tarique added, "Language movement in 1952 intensified the path towards the country's all democratic and self-determination struggles, ultimately leading to our national independence through a bloody war. The people were freed from shackles and regained a sovereign land."

"Despite the country's independence, authoritarian forces continue to conspire to impose their dominance over our language and culture, with an aim to serve a particular group, so that we cannot stand tall in the global community," he said.

However, the people of this country have consistently resisted both the domestic and foreign conspiracies with unprecedented courage, he added.

"In order to prevent the nation from being suppressed, we must work together to strengthen and sustain justice, human equality, and true democracy," he said, adding, "The democratic forces, which believe in independence and sovereignty, must remain vigilant to ensure that none can ever imprison the democracy in harsh shackles."

"The undying spirit of February 21 will inspire us in this endeavour," he said.

Now, with the recognition of February 21 as International Mother Language Day, the movement has been established globally as symbol of preserving the dignity of the mother tongue, Tarique said, wishing success of various programmes being taken by different social, cultural, and political organisations marking the day.

Tarique prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls of the 1952 language martyrs and extended his condolences to the members of their bereaved families.​

 

[Saif]

A forgotten hero of the Language Movement

The nation will observe International Mother Language Day today, and pay tributes to the heroes of our Language Movement.

www.thedailystar.net

A forgotten hero of the Language Movement

The nation will observe International Mother Language Day today, and pay tributes to the heroes of our Language Movement.

Yet, question remains, do we remember all our language heroes? Have they all been recognised by the state for their valour and contributions?

Like Saleha Begum, a hero of the Language Movement in Mymensingh, who passed away on August 19, 2004, without receiving any state recognition for her contributions.

Even, her expulsion from Mymensingh Muslim Girls High School for her leadership and involvement in the movement was not revoked.

The incident of Saleha's expulsion from the school for joining a procession and hoisting black flag on February 21, 1952, has been mentioned in page 124 of "Ekusher Smrity", a book published by Prothoma Prokashon.

Saleha's daughter Syeda Farida Akther, and son Syed Shakeel Ahad, spoke to this correspondent about the life and struggles of her mother.

Born in Pirojpur sub-division on September 24, 1935, to AM Ashraf Ali, the then sub-registrar of the sub-division, and Monirunnesa Khatun, Saleha was the third of five siblings.

She continued her studies in Mymensingh under patronage of her maternal uncle, CA Mannan, who was an officer of Forest Department in the district.

In 1952, during the Language Movement, the Rashtrabhasha Chhatra Sangram Parishad organised protests against the killings of students in Dhaka.

Saleha, a student of Mymensingh Muslim Girls High School, joined the procession in Mymensingh on February 21. In solidarity with the movement, she lowered the national flag at her school, cut her burqa to make a black flag, and hoisted it.

This act angered the school authorities, and, on the orders of the local magistrate DK Pawar, Saleha was expelled.

Four days later, on February 25, Saleha was forced to leave school, marking the end of her formal education.

Despite the setback, she moved to Moulvibazar's Kulaura and dedicated herself to teaching at Kulaura Girls High School, serving without pay for four years.

A passionate advocate for education, Saleha established "Boyshko Nari Shiksha Kendra" in Kishoreganj in 1976-1977, at her in-laws' home, to enhance literacy among elderly women in the region.

She passed away in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and dedication to the Language Movement and education.

"Our family continued efforts to have my mother's expulsion order rescinded, including recent petitions submitted to the Mymensingh divisional commissioner. The acknowledgment of her contribution to the Language Movement, even posthumously, remains a long-standing demand from our family," Ahad said.

"My mother's story is not just one of personal sacrifice but also of perseverance. Despite the obstacles she faced, including being denied further education and subjected to social and familial ostracism, she continued to serve her community through teaching. She later founded an educational institution to empower others, particularly girls, with education," said Farida.

Ahad said there have been efforts made by local authorities, including an order issued by the Mymensingh divisional commissioner's office in 2020, to revoke the expulsion order. However, the action has yet to be fully implemented, he added.

Bulbul Khan Mahbub, a language movement hero and freedom fighter from Tangail, said he came to know about the bravery of Saleha from his elder sister Sophiya Khan, who was the headteacher at Mymensingh Muslim Girls High School in 1952.

"As we continue to honour the memory of the Language Movement, it is essential to ensure that all those like Saleha Begum are given their rightful place in history," Mahbub added.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladeshi musicians reach Paris to commemorate Language Movement with UNESCO

Bangladeshi musicians are all set to perform at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris as part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of International Mother Language Day. The prestigious two-day event, marking the silver jubilee of this significant recognition, will take place later today and tomorrow.

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladeshi musicians reach Paris to commemorate Language Movement with UNESCO

Photo: Collected

Bangladeshi musicians are all set to perform at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris as part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of International Mother Language Day. The prestigious two-day event, marking the silver jubilee of this significant recognition, will take place later today and tomorrow.

Cultural adviser and filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki shared a series of pictures on social media, capturing the enthusiasm of the performers. "The Bangladesh cultural team at the UNESCO headquarters today. I am sure they will get you enthralled tomorrow evening, Paris time: 6:15pm," he wrote, expressing confidence in the team's ability to showcase Bangladesh's rich cultural heritage on a global stage.

International Mother Language Day, officially recognised by UNESCO in 1999, has been observed across United Nations member states since February 21, 2000. This year's celebrations hold special significance as they commemorate 25 years of the recognition of Ekushey February, a day that honours the sacrifices made for the preservation of the Bengali language during the Language Movement of 1952.

The event will feature a series of cultural performances and discussions. Professor Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of the interim government, has been invited as the guest of honour and will deliver a virtual address. Additionally, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki will engage in a ministerial-level discussion alongside representatives from various member states.

A talented group of musicians, including Islam Uddin Palakar, "Kotha Ko" famed rapper Shezan, Shunno's Imrul Karim Emil, and the all-female ethnic community band F Minor, along with Parsha Mahjabeen, Tuntun Baul, Jalal, Mithun Chakra, and Jahid Nirob, are in Paris. Their performances will honour Bangladesh's linguistic and cultural legacy.

Islam Uddin Palakar will deliver a fusion performance featuring Shezan's song "Kotha Ko" alongside a tribute to the Language Movement of 1952. Parsha Mahjabeen and Tuntun Baul will present the Lalon Geeti classic "Jaat Gelo". Emil is scheduled to perform "Shono Mohajon," while F Minor's vocalists, Pinky Chiran and Parsha Mahjabeen, will sing "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano" in Noagri, Garo, Chakma, and Bangla. Additionally, Islam Uddin Palakar will perform the renowned pala "Pashan Mon Re".

The event performances have been directed by filmmaker Tanim Noor, with musical direction led by Jahid Nirob. A documentary featuring writer-researcher Badruddin Umar and language movement veteran Tahmina Saleh, directed by Tanim Noor, will also be screened.

This momentous celebration is supported by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Paris, France, and serves as a significant opportunity to showcase the nation's rich cultural traditions while reinforcing the importance of linguistic diversity and heritage on a global platform.​

 

[Saif]

Bangla still largely out of public sphere

The use of Bangla is still largely out of the public sphere despite legal mandates...

www.newagebd.net

Bangla still largely out of public sphere
M Moneruzzaman 21 February, 2025, 00:36

The use of Bangla is still largely out of the public sphere despite legal mandates.

English is still dominating court proceedings, signboards, and official documents.

Besides, distortion of Bangla is continuing as authorities fail to enforce laws designed to protect and promote its appropriate use.

Most of the verdicts and orders from the Appellate Division and the High Court continue to be issued in English, while lawyers continue to submit petitions in English despite amendments to Appellate Division rules and High Court Division rules and allowing petitions to be filed in Bangla.

Private entities and commercial establishments widely use English on nameplates and signage, while dramas, serials, and radio programs frequently distort Bangla language.

Jurist Shahdeen Malik told New Age that the lack of proper legal vocabulary prevents the full adoption of Bangla in courts.

‘That is why, despite our wishes, we cannot use Bangla as the court language,’ he said.

Shahdeen emphasised the need for Bangla Academy to systematically translate legal and academic texts from English into Bangla.

He, however, said that many existing translations failed to convey accurate meaning, further complicating the transition.

‘Bangla has been distorted in dramas and across social media because of a lack of quality content,’ he added.

Enforcing Bangla as the state language cannot happen overnight, Shahdeen said and added that English remained essential for legal and official purposes as it had become a universal language in the modern world.

Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain, a judge of the High Court Division, has been delivering verdicts and orders in Bangla since his elevation to the bench on April 18, 2010.

He told New Age that willingness alone was enough to implement Bangla in court decisions.

‘Writing verdicts in Bangla takes more time than in English, but it is not difficult,’ he said and added that bench officers lacked training to take dictation in Bangla.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Eunus Ali Akond noted that a 2014 High Court directive mandating the use of Bangla in hoardings, signboards, nameplates, and vehicle number plates had been widely ignored.

The order, pronounced in Bangla, was issued in response to his public interest writ petition but the government had not responded to the ruling, and subsequent High Court benches had shown little interest in enforcing it.

The court also sought an explanation for the government’s failure to implement the Bangla Language Introduction Act 1987. Despite this law, English continues to dominate Supreme Court proceedings, the Supreme Court Bar Association, and even nameplates and signboards within the judiciary.

In 1987, a legal challenge questioned the validity of plaints filed in English after the enactment of the Bangla Bhasha Prochalan Ain.

The defendants argued that Section 3(1) of the Act mandated that all petitions in subordinate civil courts should be written in Bangla, rendering those in English invalid. However, trial courts rejected their petitions, and a subsequent High Court Division ruling allowed the continued use of English alongside Bangla.

The High Court further ruled that under the Code of Civil Procedure, the language of subordinate courts would remain unchanged unless the government decided otherwise.

The government, however, has not formally declared Bangla as the language for subordinate courts though most verdicts and orders there are now written in Bangla.

Article 3 of the constitution states, ‘The state language of the Republic is Bangla.’

Article 23 mandates measures to conserve cultural traditions and national language.

Section 137 of the Code of Civil Procedure states that the language of subordinate courts shall remain unchanged unless directed otherwise by the government.

Section 138 allows the High Court to require evidence to be recorded in English in specific cases.

The Code of Criminal Procedure also permits charges to be written either in English or in Bangla.

In 2011, the Law Commission proposed the full implementation of the 1987 Act, but successive governments took little action.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer MK Rahman criticised the excessive use of English in all spheres of life and said that it reflected a lingering colonial mindset.

He urged the authorities to enforce the laws to ensure the use of Bangla in all sectors.

A Supreme Court official said that during the Awami League regime, the court, with assistance from the law ministry, introduced Amar Bangla—a software that translates English verdicts into Bangla. In contrast, India provides translations of English verdicts in nine regional languages.

The experts observed that the continued dominance of English in courts and public spaces highlights a persistent gap between legal mandates and enforcement, leaving the fate of Bangla as the country’s state language in limbo.​