On 21st February, 1952 a group students violated section 144, in the protest of Urdu would be the alone state language of East Pakistan. “Urdu and Urdu shall be the state language of East Pakistan.” – Governor General Mohammed Ali Jinnah. Afterwards, The policemen on duty tried to disperse the students by firing blanks. When this failed, the police fired into the crowd. In the firing Abul Barkat, a university student, Rafiq Uddin ahmed, a student of Debendra College, Manikganj, and Abdul Jabbar, a young farmer from Gaffargaon, were killed. Abdus Salam, a bank employee, was injured in the firing and died in hospital later.
The reaction to the police killings was immediate. People began to gather on the premises of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. All over the country, schools and colleges held protest meetings, rallies and processions.On the night of 23 February, the students constructed a shaheed minar (martyrs’ memorial) on the spot where the students had been killed. Three days later, the police demolished the memorial.
Nevertheless, the movement for the recognition of Bangla as a state language gained momentum. Bangla was recognised as one of the state languages of Pakistan at a session of the National Assembly on 9 May 1954.
Till 1971, the day was observed spontaneously, and served as an occasion to revive the feelings of nationalism and Bengali nationhood. After liberation, the day became a national holiday and the University of Dhaka took over the maintenance of the “Shaheed Minar” and the surrounding area and the responsibility of organizing the commemoration. Moreover, since 2000, 21 February, is also being observed as International Mother Language Day in tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue. Colourful alpana (designs) are painted on the ground, and Bangla verses and prose passages about Bangla are written on the walls facing the Shaheed Minar.
Throughout the day, people of all ages and from all walks of life visit the Shaheed Minar to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for Bangla. Walking slowly, they sing the mournful notes of the elegy, ‘Amar bhaiyer rakte rangano ekushey february ami ki bhulite pari‘ (Can I forget 21 February reddened with the blood of my brothers?). Apart from this famous song, many poets have written poems on 21st February. In commemoration of the day, Bangla academy holds a month-long book fair and organises literary and cultural events throughout the month. Special programmes are broadcast and telecast highlighting the importance of the day. Different cultural organisations also arrange various functions.
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