Dhaka, February 21: On Saturday, Bangladesh paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement. Students, social activists, and political supporters gathered at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Dhaka University to honor the fallen on the occasion of International Mother Language Day.
To commemorate this historic day, people assembled just after midnight and remained present until morning to pay their respects. The ceremony reflected deep admiration for those who sacrificed their lives to protect the Bengali language.
A student remarked, “I believe that even if someone studies in English institutions, they should learn and respect the Bengali language. Otherwise, the struggle for Bangla will lose its meaning.”
Student leader Maksuda Moni also paid tribute to the martyrs, stating, “Today is International Mother Language Day. On this day, we remember and honor all Language Martyrs. On this day in 1952, students and ordinary citizens took to the streets demanding recognition for their mother tongue. Because of their sacrifice, we can proudly speak Bengali today.”
Social activist Afrina Parveen expressed happiness over the global recognition of this day. She said, “I am proud and grateful that International Mother Language Day is celebrated worldwide. I extend my deep respect and love to the language martyrs who made this possible.”
A supporter of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) expressed pride in participating in the event on the morning of February 21. “This day is for our mother tongue. In 1952, the Pakistani army killed those students who opposed the imposition of Urdu as the sole official language. We are Bengali, our mother is Bengali, and our mother tongue is Bengali. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
International Mother Language Day is celebrated annually on February 21. It emphasizes the importance of preserving linguistic diversity and promoting multilingual education. The theme for 2026 is “Voices of Youth in Multilingual Education,” highlighting the role of youth in safeguarding linguistic heritage.
The observance of this day began in 1952 when students protested in Dhaka for the recognition of Bengali as an official language. The protests turned violent, resulting in the deaths of several demonstrators, marking a significant moment in the nation’s history.
In November 1999, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day, and the United Nations General Assembly supported its observance in 2002. Since then, this day has been celebrated worldwide to promote cultural diversity and raise awareness about endangered languages.
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