Nation set to pay tributes to language martyrs

The nation is set to observe ‍‍`Amar Ekushey‍‍`, the Language Martyr‍‍`s Day (Shaheed Day) and the International Mother Language Day on Wednesday, marking the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of mother tongue Bangla.

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

This year‍‍`s theme of the International Mother Language Day  is ‘multilingual education: a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning”.

Walking barefoot to Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers singing ‍‍`Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February‍‍`, people from all walks of life will pay their respect to the heroes of the Language Movement who sacrificed their lives for achieving the recognition of Bangla as the state language of erstwhile Pakistan.

On February 21, 1952, students and the common people in Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then Pakistani government‍‍`s denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan.

Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firings on this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus breaching section 144 to press home their demand for the recognition of Bangla as a state language of then Pakistan.

The government has taken extensive programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.

The day is a public holiday.

Bangladesh Missions abroad will also observe the day.

Different political-social-cultural-professional organisations will arrange various programmes, including seminars and cultural functions, to observe the day.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the eve of the day.

In his message, the President said “On the occasion of International Mother Language Day 2024, I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to the people of various languages of the world including Bangla and other ethnic groups.

“Nowadays, the spirit of Amar Ekushey is the incessant source of inspiration for the peoples of the world in protecting their languages and cultures. But we have to be more diligent in proper practice and preservation of Bengali language and culture,” said the President.

He also said “Embracing the spirit of Amar Ekushey, let mutual respect be awakened among the people of different languages and cultures of the world, let a colorful world without discrimination be developed it is my expectation on Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day.”

In her message the Prime Minister said “On the occasion of the great Martyrs‍‍` Day and International Mother Language Day, I pay my homage to the people of all languages and cultures of the world, including Bengali.”

“I firmly believe that together, we will be able to establish the developed, prosperous, and self-esteemed ‍‍`Golden Bangladesh‍‍` as the Father of the Nation dreamed,” said the Prime Minister.

National dailies will publish special supplements marking the day and Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private radio stations and television channels will air special programmes on the occasion.

BNP also has chalked out a 2-day programme to observe Amar Ekushey.