International Mother Language Day
There
us glorious history behind the day. The then Pakistan rulers declared
on 21 march, 1948 that is only Urdu would be the state language of
entire Pakistan. The people of East Pakistan reacted against unilateral
decision. The demanded that Bangla should be the state language of East
Pakistan. But the then Pakistan did not accept the demand. The alert and
intelligent mass of the then Pakistan, student, teachers and all
organized people united under an umbrella for establishing Bangla as our
state language. There was a curfew and section 144 was declared all
over Dhaka on 21 February 1952. The students of Dhaka University
violated section 144 and they were advancing towards the present Shaheed
Minae. Suddenly Rafiq, Jabbar, Salam, Barkat and many others were
killed by the police fire. From then, 21 February has been observed as
our Shaheed Dibas or Martyrs Day by us.
Afterward,
on 9 January 1998, Rafiqul Islam and Abdus Salam form Canada sent
memorandum to Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN)
demanding declaration of 21 February as the International Mother
Language Day.
Now,
188 countries across the world observe 21 February as the International
Mother Language Day. It is observed to pay homage to the Mother
Language of every person.
In
our country, the day is observed both as Shaheed Dibas and the
International Mother Language Day. On this day, people go barefooted to
different Shaheed Minars and remember the memory of our language
martyrs. Putting on black badges, they sing the mourning song Amar
bhaiyer Rockte Ranagno and pray reverence to the martyrs. People pray
for the salvation of the martyrs departed souls.
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