International Mother Language Day

There are many days that are very much important for the nation. This is one of the proudest day for the people of the country Bangladesh. Due to its importance UNESCO has declared this day at the International Mother Language Day. Now this day is celebrated by the people of the different countries of the world. This day is celebrated on 21st February as a part of showing the respect to the mother language and the martyr of this day. As an international day this day promotes the awareness in case of linguistic and the cultural diversity around the world. It shows that the importance of every mother language and culture is of immense value. It also shows that the people of any culture, community, language is important. They have the right to express and take part of any action. This day is observed every year with different events and programs. This day is announced as the international mother language day on 17th

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November 1999. This day is celebrated internationally from 21st February 2000. It is a great initiative that promotes and protects each language in the world. So that any language does not becomes distorted or extinct. The initiative to celebrate this day internationally was the decision taken by Bangladesh government. Every year this day is celebrated as the day when some brave people gave their life for the sake of the mother language. During that time the Government of Pakistan illegally tried to set the Urdu language as the mother language of East Pakistan. But the people of the East Pakistan or current Bangladesh denied these decisions. They took active part in the protest against the decision of making the Urdu as the mother language of East Pakistan. The decision was made by Yahya Khan to make the Urdu left the mother language, the people burst out with anger. They become united and took the decision of not accepting this declaration. From the very beginning East Pakistan being oppressed by the West Pakistan in case of the finance, resource, facilities, working position etc. the people of East Pakistan had to pay the extra amount of tax compared to the people of West Pakistan. But they could not achieve the higher position or the official ranks in the office or job sectors. Instead of having higher capabilities, they were deprived of the facilities they deserved. As both the Pakistan, East and West Pakistan was divided keeping India in between. Both the Pakistan had their different culture and language. But the West Pakistan always tried to dominate every decision of East Pakistan. the election was held, the leaders of East Pakistan wanted to form a new government but the government of West Pakistan was not being agreed to hand over the power to the east Pakistan.

As by this decision they could lose power and domination over the east Pakistan. In 1947 the declaration was done to make the Urdu language at the state language of Pakistan. But most of the people of East and West Pakistan was Bengali speaking, the completely disagreed with the decision of the yahya Khan when the protest started against this declaration. At first demanded that Bangla should be one of the national languages beside Urdu. To stop this protest, rally and procession the Government of East Pakistan outlawed these events. The students of the Dhaka University along with the mass people has arranged for a huge gathering. They had continued to arrange meeting and large rally. They had tried their best in every possible way not stop the protest immensely and gained the support of the mass people. One of the rallies took place on 21st February of 1952, the police open fired on the rally according to the order of the government. The brave son of Bangla Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and Shafiur died.

Huge number of people that could be around hundred was injured was injured. This is a rare event in which someone has given their life for the sake of their mother language. From that time Bangladeshi people observe this day with tragedy. Many people visit the Shaheed Minar with flowers in a manner to show the respect to the martyrs of the language movements. Shaheed Minar is a National monument that was built in memory of the people who sacrificed their life and to show them the respect. International mother language day is a national holiday in Bangladesh. To observe this date different cultural programs and political speech is being delivered in different areas of the country. These people sacrificed their life to save the dignity and honor of the mother language. That is why we can talk in Bangla with pride and can stand as a liberal country. So we should respect every language in the country and never forget the sacrifice of the language martyrs.  

Written by,

Sakibul Hasan

Information Collected