The nation on Friday observed the immortal Ekushey February and the International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner paying glowing tributes to the valiant sons of the soil who laid down their lives to uphold the honour of the mother tongue in 1952.
The Central Shaheed Minar in the capital turned into a human sea as tens of thousands of people solemnly joined the “Provat Ferry” (mourning procession) and thronged the area on Friday to pay homage to the language martyrs.The people who paid their respect to the martyrs demanded the use of Bangla language at all levels and quick execution of war trial verdicts.
As the clock struck 12:01 am on Friday, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid their homage to the martyrs of the historic language movement by placing wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
The Prime Minister arrived at the Shaheed Minar a few minutes before the clock struck 12 midnight. President Abdul Hamid also arrived there just before the zero hour.
The President was the first to place the wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar. The Prime Minister placed the wreath at the Minar following the President. They stood in solemn silence for some time in respect to the memory of the language heroes.
Sheikh Hasina, who is also the President of Bangladesh Awami League, later placed wreath along with her senior party leaders and cabinet colleagues on behalf of the party.
Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chawdhury placed wreath at the Shaheed Miniar on behalf of the National Parliament. A delegation of 14-party alliance led by spokesman Mohammad Nasim also placed wreath there.
Chiefs of three services, chief whip ASM Firoze and MPs, Dhaka University Vice- Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique and Teachers’ Association of Dhaka University, diplomats, leaders of different political parties, among others, placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia paid her homage to the martyrs of the historic language movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital after 1.00am.
BNP acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Dr. RA Gani, Dr. Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain and Sadek Hossain Khoka and other senior leaders companied her.
BNP alleged that huge numbers of police members were deployed around the residence of the party’s chairperson so that she was not able to come out from her residence.
Opposition Leader Rawshan Ershad offered wreath at 1:20 am along with leaders of her party.
Leaders of different political parties and socio-cultural organisaitons, including Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Communist Party and Samyobadi Dal placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Walking barefoot to the Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers, wearing black badges and flags and singing “Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February, amiki bhulite pari,” thousands of people from all walks of life converged at the central Shaheed Minar to pay homage to the language heroes.
Government organizations, professional and cultural organisations and educational institutions also placed wreaths at the central Shaheed Minar to pay homage to the valiant sons of the soil.
Different socio-political and cultural organizations have chalked out various programmes, including seminars and cultural functions, to observe the Amar (immortal) Ekushey and International Mother Language Day due respect.
Tight security was enforced around the main altar of the Shaheed Minar as streams of people poured into it to place wreaths there for expressing their heart- felt respect to the 1952 language martyrs.
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 street to intensify a campaign to establish Bangla as the state language of the then Pakistan, drilling the seeds of subsequent movements for 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 of Pakistan.
The day is also being observed across the globe as the UNESCO recognized the Ekushey February as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.
The language movement is indeed the most important turning point in the history of Bangalee as its spirit led to the Independence of Bangladesh through a bloody nine-month war in 1971.
Countries across the globe have been observing the day since then to promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education and raise awareness of cultural traditions based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
The day was a public holiday. The national flag was hoisted half- mast atop all government, autonomous and private buildings.
The National dailies brought out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and satellite TV channels aired special programmes.
The day was also observed in Bangladesh missions abroad. – Staff Reporter
