ZCZC
BSS-38
AMAR-EKUSHEY-OBSERVANCE-THREE-LAST-DHAKA
On February 21 in 1952, students and people from all walks of life under
the All-Party Students Action Committee took to the streets in Dhaka to
protest the then Pakistan government’s refusal to recognise Bangla as one of
the state languages and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of
Pakistan.
Salam, Barkat, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar and some others embraced
martyrdom when police opened fire on the procession in front of the Dhaka
Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).
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 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.
On the day, the national flag kept at half-mast in all educational
institutions, government, semi-government and autonomous offices and private
buildings across the country.
Marking the day, ruling Awami League took elaborate programmes, including
hoisting national and party flags at half-mast and hoisting black flags atop
at the AL’s Bangabandhu Avenue central office and Bangabandhu Bhaban and
other offices of the AL across the country at 6:30 am today.
Other programmes include wearing of black badges at 7am and later bringing
out Provat Feri from south gate of New Market as a mark of respect to the
Language Movement martyrs.
To mark the day, a discussion will be held at the AL’s Bangabandhu Avenue
central office at 4pm tomorrow. Awami League President and Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina will chair the discussion through a videoconferencing from her
official Ganabhaban residence.
Besides, Qurankhwani, Milad Mahfil and special munajat were arranged at
Azimpur graveyard in the capital for the martyrs of the Language Movement.
Offering Fateha and Qurankhwani was held at Azimpur graveyard and special
prayers were arranged at all places of worships across the country seeking
eternal peace of language martyrs.
Islamic Foundation organized Qurankhwani and special prayers at Baitul
Mukarram National Mosque here around 11am seeking eternal peace of the
martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in 1952 for mother tongue.
Director General (DG) of Islamic Foundation Dr Md Mushfiqur Rahman was
present there as the chief guest while Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Senior
Pesh Imam Hafez Muhammad Mizanur Rahman led the doa-munajat, the release
added.
Shishu Academy organized a discussion at its auditorium in the city
marking Shaheed Dibos and International Mother Language Day.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira
addressed the discussion as the chief guest with Bangladesh Shishu Academy
chairperson Lucky Enam in the chair.
Senior Secretary of the Women and Children Affairs Ministry Kazi Rowshan
Akhter was present at the discussion as the special guest while Shishu
Academy Director General Jyoti Lal Kuri delivered welcome address.
In line with the national programmes, the day was also observed at all
educational institutions, city corporations, pourasabhas, the district and
upazila administrations and Bangladesh missions abroad.
The day was a public holiday.
To mark the day, the Central Shaheed Minar and its adjacent areas on 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.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private radio stations and
television channels aired special programmes while national dailies published
special supplements.
BSS/BKD/SAH/RY/20:12hrs