ZCZC
BSS-08
AMAR-EKUSHEY
Nation set to pay homage to language martyrs
DHAKA, Feb 20, 2018 (BSS)-The nation is set to pay glowing tributes to
memories of the language movement martyrs, the valiant sons of the soil who
made supreme sacrifices to establish the rights of the mother tongue, Bangla,
in 1952.
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 the street to intensify the campaign to
establish Bangla as the state language of the then Pakistan, sowing the seeds
of subsequent movements for the country’s 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.
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 besides Urdu.
The decision, however, could not stop the movement against repression and
misrule of Pakistani government and subsequently led to the War of
Independence and ultimately the emergence of Bangladesh.
The government has already taken extensive programmes to observe the
‘Shaheed Dibash’ and the International Mother Language Day on February 21 in
a befitting manner.
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 day is a public holiday. In respect to the martyrs of the historic
Language Movement, the national flag will be hoisted half-mast at all
educational institutions and government, semi-government and autonomous
offices.
In observance of the day in a befitting manner, the Central Shaheed Minar
premises has been redecorated with paintings, graffiti, buntings and selected
verses on the mother language as the nation awaits the clock to strike one-
minute past zero hours (midnight) tonight to start paying homage to the
martyrs of the great Language Movement.
Tight security has already been enforced around the main altar of the
Shaheed Minar and the Azimpur graveyard of the language martyrs as streams of
people are set to pour into these places to lay wreaths to express their
heart-felt respect to the language martyrs.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead the
nation in paying homage to the Language Movement heroes by placing wreaths at
the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours (midnight tonight).
The President and the Prime Minister will also issue separate messages on
the eve of the day, paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of the historic
Language Movement of 1952.
Political leaders, Dhaka University teachers, diplomats and
representatives of various organisations and general public as well will
follow them in paying tributes to the 1952 heroes until the late morning
tomorrow, singing the first four lines of the immortal song of the day, “Amar
Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulite Paari”.
Later on, the Shaheed Minar would remain open to the public when thousands
of people from all walks of life walked barefoot to it, with flowers in hands
and humming “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February” to recall the
supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in 1952.
Different political-social-cultural-professional organisations have
chalked out various programmes, including seminars and cultural functions, to
observe the Amar (immortal) Ekushey and International Mother Language Day in
a befitting manner.
Quran Khwani, Milad Mahfil and special munajat will be offered at the
graveyards of the Language Movement martyrs.
Like previous years, Dhaka University authorities organised the programmes
at the Central Shaheed Minar in coordination with other relevant agencies.
In line with the national programmes, the day will also be observed by all
educational institutions, city corporations, pourasabhas, the district and
upazila administrations and Bangladesh missions abroad.
Various organizations and institutes, including Bangla Academy, Bangladesh
Shilpakala Academy, Nazrul Institute, Jatiya Grantha Kendra, Islamic
Foundation, National Museum, International Mother Language Institute and
Shishu Academy will observe the day across the country through different
programmes.
The day’s programmes of the ruling Awami League include placing of wreaths
at the central Shaheed Minar at one-minute past zero hours tonight, hoisting
at half-mast the national and party flags at its offices across the country
and Bangabandhu Bhaban and hoisting of black flag in the morning as a mark of
respect to the Language Movement martyrs.
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.
BSS/MMR/AKM 1155 hrs