Tributes pour in for language heroes

The Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day was observed with due solemnity across the country on Saturday, with the nation paying tribute to the heroes who laid down their lives in 1952 to ensure Bangla was recognised as a state language.
The day is also commemorated in 193 countries worldwide, following UNESCO’s 1999 declaration of 21 February as International Mother Language Day in recognition of the martyrs’ sacrifice. On that day in 1952, police opened fire on students and activists demanding Bangla’s recognition, killing Salam, Barakat, Rafique, Jabbar, Shafiur, and others.
This year marks the 74th anniversary of the Language Movement and comes amid a political transition, with a new government taking office after the 12 February elections.
From 12:01am, crowds gathered at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar and Shaheed Minars across districts and upazilas to lay wreaths and pay homage. The iconic line, “Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulite Pari”, echoed throughout the observances.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman led the nation in paying tributes at the Central Shaheed Minar, which once again became the focal point of the day’s events. 
The day was a public holiday nationwide, with flags flown at half-mast atop government, autonomous, and private offices.
State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, along with private channels and radio stations, broadcast special programmes. Newspapers published supplements highlighting the significance of the day.
Additional law enforcement personnel, including police and RAB, were deployed to maintain security, ensuring the observances proceeded peacefully.
Political parties, including the ruling BNP, opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP), along with socio-cultural and professional organisations, organised programmes to commemorate the martyrs, including discussions and wreath-laying ceremonies.
In Dhaka, the Central Shaheed Minar area was adorned with street paintings, banners, buntings, and placards. Thousands, wearing black badges and carrying bouquets, queued barefoot before midnight. 
President Shahabuddin placed a wreath at 12:01am, followed by Prime Minister Rahman at 12:07am. Both stood in solemn silence to honour the 1952 martyrs. Departing from tradition, the Prime Minister joined a prayer session led by Hafez Mowlana Nazir Mahmud, senior Imam of Dhaka University Central Mosque. Prayers were offered for the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 Anti-autocracy Movement, and the 2024 July Uprising. Prayers also remembered BNP founder late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, while wishing the nation and new government well.
Flanked by senior BNP leaders, Tarique Rahman placed another wreath as party chairman. Later, the chiefs of the three forces – Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Naval Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan – laid wreaths.
Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafikur Rahman, along with MPs of the 11-party alliance, participated formally for the first time at the Central Shaheed Minar. Members of the diplomatic corps, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, and various organisations also paid homage.
At Dhaka University, the Vice Chancellor welcomed early-morning guests at the Shaheed Minar. A silent procession, Probhat Pheri, commenced at 6:30am on campus. Following the officials’ wreath-laying, the Central Shaheed Minar was opened to the public, with people of all ages offering floral tributes through the morning.
Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, accompanied by Supreme Court judges, laid a wreath at 6am. Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli also visited, noting: “Coming from a country with four languages, we know how language shapes who we are and reflects the diversity within us. While we pay tribute to languages today…”
Students of Maulana Bhashani Hall at Bangladesh Agricultural University produced a special documentary, “One Hall, One Heart, One Vision”, premiered in the early hours and widely shared on social media.
In Chattogram, thousands walked barefoot to the newly constructed Central Shaheed Minar, carrying flowers and wreaths. The district administration organised ceremonies, discussions, Quran recitations, prayers, and school competitions. The city mayor placed the first wreath at one minute past midnight, with MPs, political leaders, and officials following. A guard of honour was presented by Chattogram Metropolitan Police.
In Sylhet, the tribute began at 12:01am, led by Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, with officials, freedom fighters, political leaders, and social organisations joining. A procession by Sammilita Natya Parishad commenced at 8:00am from Nazrul Auditorium, concluding at the Shaheed Minar.
In Rangpur, the district administration hosted a discussion, attended by Rangpur-3 MP Md Mahbubur Rahman Belal, followed by the felicitation of Language Hero Mohammad Afzal and prize distribution for competitions in drawing, writing, recitation, and cultural programmes.
In Mymensingh, Divisional Commissioner Farah Shammi inaugurated the tribute at 12:01am at the Central Shaheed Minar at Town Hall, joined by Mymensingh-4 MP Abu Wahab Akanda and others. BNP leaders, student groups, the Press Club, and social and cultural organisations laid wreaths. The district also hosted discussions, blood donation drives, art competitions, and cultural events.
In Jashore, the Central Shaheed Minar at Jashore Government MM College saw the first wreath laid by State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit at 12:01am. In Sirajganj, Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku paid tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar.
In Brahmanbaria, independent MP and former BNP leader Barrister Rumeen Farhana claimed she was obstructed while attempting to pay respects at Sarail Upazila. She alleged activists led by former BNP general secretary Anwar Hossain disrupted the proceedings, shredded her floral wreath, and forced her to leave under security escort.
Abroad, Bangladesh missions also observed the day. At the Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo, the programme began with wreath-laying at the permanent Shaheed Minar at Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park by Ambassador Md Daud Ali. The diaspora participated in a Probhat Feri procession and an afternoon commemorative event at the embassy auditorium, featuring messages from the President, prime minister, foreign minister, and state minister for foreign affairs. The event concluded with prayers for national peace and prosperity, followed by an iftar mahfil for civil society and diaspora members.
Across the country and around the world, Bangladeshis solemnly honoured the Language Movement martyrs, reflecting on the enduring legacy of their sacrifice in shaping the nation’s identity.

The reporter can be reached at: [email protected]