United News of Bangladesh

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 High Court (HC) on Sunday inquired about the steps taken to implement the court’s more than 10-year old directive to ensure the sanctity of the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital.

BNP on Sunday paid homage to the martyrs of 1952 Language Movement, marking Amar Ekushey, the Language Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Shahidul Islam on Sunday said the Bengali nation has created an unprecedented event by sacrificing lives for their mother tongue.

Commemorating the legacy of the 1952 Language Movement and the glorious sacrifices of the language martyrs, an online platform is organising a virtual debate on February 11 to discuss language and its correlation with the society and culture in Bangladesh.