Today is 'Shaheed Dibash' (Martyrs Day) as well as the International Mother Language Day.
The Bengali nation is observing the day as the 'Shaheed Dibash' (Martyrs Day) with due respect maintaining health guidelines while the day is also being observed worldwide as the ‘International Mother Language Day’.
UNESCO recognised the 'February 21 (Ekushey February)' as the International Mother Language Day on November 17 in 1999.
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 that subsequently led the Bangalee to the War of Independence and the emergence of Bangladesh.
People from all walks of life are paying glowing tributes to the memories of language movement martyrs, the valiant sons of the soil who made supreme sacrifices to establish the rights of the mother tongue, Bangla, on February 21 in 1952.
The government as well as all the socio-political, cultural and other organisations and also by the individuals took extensive programmes to observe the 'Shaheed Dibash' and the International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages paying rich tributes to those who embraced martyrdom on the day.
On the occasion, today is a public holiday.
In observance of the day, the Central Shaheed Minar premises has been decorated with paintings, graffiti, buntings and selected verses on the mother language.
Tight security measures have been enforced in and around the main altar of the Shaheed Minar, its adjoining areas and Azimpur graveyard of the language martyrs.
Generally the president and the prime minister lead the nation to pay homage to the Language Movement heroes by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours. But due to COVID-19 pandemic, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not go to the Central Shaheed Minar to pay homage. Instead of them, their military secretaries placed wreaths on their behalf at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours.
Different political-social-cultural-professional organisations, including the ruling Awami League, took various programmes such as seminars and cultural functions, to observe the Amar (immortal) Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.
Different ministries have drawn up an elaborate programme to observe the 'Shaheed Dibash' (Language Martyrs Day) and the International Mother Language Day-2022 with solemn dignity.
The national flags remain at half-mast in a proper manner having accurate size at all the buildings of government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations and educational institutions.
In line with the national programmes, all educational institutions, local government bodies, district and upazila administration, Bangladesh missions abroad have taken proper measures to observe the day, maintaining health guidelines considering the COVID-19 situation.
Fateha and Qurankhwani are being offered at Azimpur graveyard and special prayers are being held at all worship places across the country seeking eternal peace of the language martyrs.
Proper measures have also been taken to strengthen the security system in and around all the venues, including the Central Shaheed Minar, and Dhaka University campus adjoining areas.
On the occasion, road islands and other important places in the capital have been decorated with festoons inscribed with letters of different languages including Bangla.
Marking the day, all the newspapers published special supplements, especially highlighting the role of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Language Movement.
Bangladesh missions abroad have organised different programmes, including playing wreaths at Shaheed Minar, discussions on Bangabandhu and Language Movement, and book and photo exhibitions where diplomats of different countries and Bangladeshi expatriates are joining.
