United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh on Friday observed Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day with due respect and solemnity, as people from all walks of life paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the recognition of Bangla as a state language. From the first hour of February 21, people thronged Shaheed Minars across the country, placing floral wreaths and observing silence in memory of the language martyrs.  Programmes were held in district towns, educational institutions and public spaces in a dignified and emotional atmosphere. On February 21, 1952, students and activists were killed when police opened fire on demonstrators demanding Bangla as a state language.  Among those martyred were Salam, Barkat, Rafiq and Jabbar. In recognition of their sacrifice, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in 1999. Since then, the day has been observed worldwide to promote linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. In Chattogram, the Shaheed Minar became a place of emotion and reverence as people of all ages began gathering from late night.  After a ceremonial police salute, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain and others laid wreaths in a solemn atmosphere. In Sylhet, large crowds gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in the Chauhatta area from midnight.  Floral tributes began at 12:01am, with participation from different segments of society.  Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Arifur Rahman Chowdhury, along with government officials, freedom fighters and leaders of political, social and cultural organisations, including BNP, paid homage to the language martyrs. In Barishal, senior officials including the divisional commissioner, DIG, police commissioner and deputy commissioner placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar during the first hour of the day. They were followed by leaders of the district Muktijoddha Sangsad and various political, social and cultural organisations. Teachers and students from different educational institutions also joined the observance. In Chuadanga, programmes began at 12:01am with floral tributes at the district Central Shaheed Minar.  The district administration, police, political parties, social and cultural organisations, educational institutions and members of the public paid homage.  A one-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday unveiled commemorative postage stamps  marking Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. He released the stamps in the morning at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Tejgaon.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday began work at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon for the first time after assuming office. He arrived at the office at 10:10am, where Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon received him.   

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday said democratic values, people’s rights and equality were the core spirit of Ekushey, adding that the government is committed to consolidating the country’s democratic progress. In a message marking Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day-2026, to be observed tomorrow, he also called for collective efforts to uphold and protect the dignity of languages worldwide. “The establishment of democratic values, people’s rights and equality was the core spirit of Ekushey. Upholding this spirit, democracy has now been restored in the country after a long struggle. The present government is committed to consolidating this democratic progress,” the Prime Minister said. On the occasion of the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day, he extend sincere greetings and congratulations to people of all languages and ethnic groups across the world, including speakers of Bangla. The Prime Minister paid deep tribute to all martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement whose sacrifices established the dignity of Bangla as a mother language. Mentioning that February 21 an unforgettable chapter in the national life, the Prime Minister said Abul Barkat, Abdus Salam, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed and Abdul Jabbar, among others, embraced martyrdom on this day in 1952 while fighting to protect the dignity of Bangla. Amar Ekushey: Nation to pay tribute to language martyrs at zero hour He said their sacrifices marked the first step towards the liberation of the then East Bengal from long oppression and domination, and strengthened the foundation of Bangalees’ rights, democracy and cultural identity. “The path of Ekushey eventually led to the Liberation War and the independence of Bangladesh.” Tarique said Bangla is the main carrier of national identity and that UNESCO recognised February 21 as International Mother Language Day in honour of the nation’s sacrifice and love for the mother tongue. “The spirit of Ekushey has now turned into a global movement to protect linguistic dignity.” He said the government wants to build a self-reliant, safe and humane democratic state by upholding the aspirations of language martyrs, the martyrs of 1971 and all those who sacrificed their lives in democratic movements over the years. The Prime Minister called for preserving the country’s language diversity and ensuring proper use and practice of Bangla at all levels while safeguarding culture and heritage. He prayed for the salvation of all language martyrs and wished success of all programmes taken marking the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day.

The nation is set to observe 'Amar Ekushey', the Language Martyr's Day (Shaheed Day) and the International Mother Language Day on Tuesday, 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. The theme of International Mother Language Day 2023 is "Multilingual education- a necessity to transform education". 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 day is a public holiday. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the eve of the day. In his message the president said “The spirit of Amar Ekushey is now the incessant source of inspiration for protecting own languages and culture of peoples of different languages in the world. But we have to be more diligent in proper practice and preservation of Bengali language and culture. With the blessings of information technology, we are now the inhabitants of a single global village. Therefore, to maintain pace of advancement with the developed world, our present generation has to attain necessary skills in different languages which are recognized as international communication media.” Also read; No possibility of terrorist attack on 21st February: DMP Commissioner “I believe that observing the International Mother Language Day will play a positive role in the development and preservation of our own language as well as in building a sustainable future through multilingual education - this is our expectation,” he 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,” he added. In her message the Prime Minister said, “Bengali nationalism was established through the language movement. Following the ideals of Bengali nationalism and the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib we have made Bangladesh a role model for development in the world in the last 14 years. We will transform the country into Smart Bangladesh by 2041- building Smart Citizen, Smart Government, Smart Economy, and Smart Society,” “In addition, we are also implementing Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100. I firmly believe that we will be able to establish the developed, prosperous, and self-esteemed ‘Golden Bangladesh’ as the Father of the Nation dreamed,” she said. Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruq on Sunday said that there is no possibility of terrorist attack on the Language Martyr's Day or International Mother Language Day as DMP has taken all necessary preparations to ensure security. “We have brought the entire area from Palashi to Doel Chattar under CCTV cameras’ surveillance to ensure security. The area will be monitored by CCTV cameras from the police control room,” the commissioner said. “The programme has been divided into two parts. The president, the prime minister, cabinet members and diplomatic personnel will pay their respects to the martyrs first. Then, it will be opened to the general public”, he said. People will enter through Palashi and exit through Doyel Chattar to pay respect to language martyrs, said the DMP commissioner adding that no bags or other stuff will not be allowed to carry. 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.    

Islami Bank Bangladesh organised an online discussion and prayers on the occasion of Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day on February 21.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Sunday highlighted the contribution of mother languages in preserving cultural diversity, nurturing creativity, and promoting multilingualism.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the government has created a ‘terrifying’ situation in the country in an effort to hang onto power with ‘repressive’ acts.

The nation is set to observe 'Amar Ekushey', the Language Martyrs Day (Shaheed Day) and the International Mother Language Day on Friday, marking the supreme of sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the right to speak mother tongue Bangla .

BNP on Monday announced a two-day programme to observe the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day with due respect on Friday.