— Today, February 1, marks the beginning of the month of language for the Bengali people. Through the ultimate sacrifice on the streets of Dhaka for the demand of Bengali as a state language, Bengalis established their language-based identity.
February is a month to commemorate the martyrs who laid down their lives on February 21, 1952. For Bengalis, this is a month of patriotism and renewed inspiration. Throughout the month, the nation pays its profound respects to the language martyrs.
In 1999, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day. Since then, the day has been observed globally, celebrating the significance of mother tongues everywhere.
From the very first day of February, various programs are launched. Social and cultural organizations organize events throughout the month to honor martyrs like Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar, and Shafiur, passing the spirit of the Language Movement down to the new generation.
However, due to several factors including the national elections and Ramadan, the Amar Ekushe Book Fair is not starting on the first day of February this year.
A Glimpse into History
The history of the Language Movement reveals that on March 21, 1948, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Governor-General of Pakistan, declared at the Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) that "Urdu and only Urdu shall be the state language of Pakistan."
This was met with immediate "No, No" protests from students at Curzon Hall, leaving Jinnah caught off guard. That protest sparked a movement that lasted from 1947 to 1952.
The struggle for the dignity of the Bengali language gradually intensified. To suppress the movement, the police imposed Section 144, banning rallies and processions in Dhaka.
On February 21, 1952, students of Dhaka University and progressive political activists defied these orders. As the procession neared Dhaka Medical College, police opened fire. Salam, Jabbar, Shafiq, Barkat, Rafiq, and many others were martyred, and through their supreme sacrifice, the Bengali nation earned the right to its mother tongue.
