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Essay : International Mother Language Day
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International Mother Language Day
Introduction : International Mother Language Day is observed annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The day has been observed globally since 2000. The date commemorates 21 February 1952, when students demonstrating for the recognition of their language, Bengali, as one of the two national languages of then Pakistan, were shot and killed by police in Dhaka, the capital of present-day Bangladesh. The spirit of Bangalee nationalism emanated from the bloodstained 21st, gained tremendous momentum gradually, and ultimately led to the long-cherished independence achieved in 1971.
Mother Language Movement : The Bengali Language Movement, also known as the Language Movement (Bhasha Andolon), was a political movement in former East Bengal, now Bangladesh, advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of the then Dominion of Pakistan. Its aims included allowing Bengali to be used in government affairs, continuing its use as a medium of education, ensuring its use in media, currency and stamps, and maintaining its writing in the Bengali script.
Events of 1952 : The Urdu–Bengali controversy was reignited when Jinnah’s successor, Governor-General Khawaja Nazimuddin, staunchly defended the “Urdu-only” policy in a speech on 26 January 1952. On 30 January, the Shorbodolio Rashtrobhasha Sangram Parishad was formed at a meeting in the Bar Library Hall of Dhaka University, chaired by Maulana Bhashani. The action committee called for an all-out protest on 21 February, including strikes and rallies. As preparations for demonstrations were underway, the government imposed Section 144 in Dhaka, thereby banning any gathering of more than four people.
21 February : At nine o’clock in the morning, students began gathering on the University of Dhaka premises in defiance of Section 144. They assembled around the East Bengal Legislative Assembly and blocked the legislators’ way, urging them to raise their demands in the assembly. When a group of students attempted to enter the building, police opened fire and killed several students, including Abdus Salam, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Barkat, and Abdul Jabbar.
Background of International Mother Language Day : In memory of 21 February 1952, the day is observed annually as “Shaheed Dibash” and was later declared International Mother Language Day.
A proposal was submitted to UNESCO through the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 9 September 1999. On 17 November, the proposal was supported by 188 countries, including Pakistan, without opposition from any nation. International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of UNESCO in November 1999 (30C/62).
Conclusion :
Have they destroyed your memorial monument
Do not fear, comrade
We are still here –
A family of forty million, alert and awake.
[Allauddin Al Azad’s The Monument, translated by Kabir Chowdhury.]
The genesis of the historic Language Movement, which began in September 1947 with students at the forefront supported by intellectuals, cultural activists and patriotic individuals, marked the first surge of Bengali nationalistic awakening. It culminated in the tragic events of 21 February 1952. The movement expanded into a struggle for people’s rights and democratic processes, ultimately leading to the War of Liberation in 1971 and the creation of an independent state, Bangladesh.
Nice.