Shaheed Minar or Martyr Monument represents a political movement in the then former East Bengal advocating the recognition of the Bengali language, which later became popular in 1952 as Bhasha Andolon or Language movement.
The sacred monument was erected to mark the significance of the movement and the sacrifices of some language movement leaders who were killed during protests to defy the then East Pakistan government order to make Urdu the only official language. The students of the University of Dhaka and other political activists defied the law and organised a protest on 21 February 1952. At the height of the street demonstrations, police open fired on student demonstrators on that day killing several. The deaths provoked widespread civil unrest. After years of conflict, the central government relented and granted official status to the Bengali language in 1956. Since the movement the Central Shaheed Minar, adjoining the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, stands a symbol of national unity and patriotism. It is remembered every year on 21 February to pay respect to the language martyrs. Hundreds of such Shaheed Minars have been constructed across the country, which are symbol of nationalism and remind of the sacrifices of the heroes. Sadly, some unfaithful organisers who are supposed to maintain these monuments have allegedly been found to ignore their duties of keeping the Shaheed Minar premises visit worthy for the local public.
In Kurarbazar under Beanibazar Upazila of Sylhet district one such Shaheed Minar stands eroding. The very first appearance clearly shows how the local authorities have left the sacred monument uncared.
The weeds scattered around the premises and the shabby appearance of the surroundings speaks for itself how the Monuments has been left uncared. For years, it has been ignored and left as a virtual scrapyard. Some locals describe the site as ghostly as the area turns into darkness with empty buildings standing behind the Minar.
When approached for comments the local administration of Beanibazar Upazila said that they would soon take initiative to clean the premises and turn the place worthy for public visits.
