21st February : The History of International Mother Language Day

To me mother language is one of the sweetest gifts by the ancient or from nature. I think, not a single people of this world will disagree with me. That's why people love mother language from the core of their heart whether he or she from western or eastern, it is not a matter of fact in that case. Today we are gonna to share with all of you the history and our feeling about international mother language day.

Image Credit - SophieMoons

International Mother Language Day is observed on 21 February every year after the declaration of UNESCO in 1999. I feel lucky and proud that my nation has created this history for giving blood for mother language. As per my concern not a single nation will be found in this world who has given blood or win a battle over army for their mother language.

The history of 21st February, the international mother language day has begun with the independence of Pakistan from British colonial rule in the Indian sub continent in 1947. Pakistan got independent in two parts West Pakistan (Present Pakistan) and East Pakistan (present Bangladesh) on the basis of religion. As the two parts were far away from each other not only in case of land area but also in lifestyle, language, environment, ethical values, culture it doesn't take too much time to create dispute between the two parts of the country. The result of the problems was worsening day by day which augmented conflict situation between the two provinces of East and West Pakistan. The most critical situation occur when West Pakistan (Present Pakistan) authority adopted a resolution that URDU will be the only state language in 1947 through a declaration in the Education conference at Karachi. whether most of the people were speaker of Bangla and the people of East Pakistan were only accustomed with Bangla language. Simultaneously, it was also decided that Bangla would be abolished from all government stationery, including money order forms, envelopes and postcards that would be printed only in Urdu and English whereas East Pakistan constituted most of population who were only speaker of Bangla.

Image Credit -The Daily Star.net

" Let me make it very clear to you that the state language of Pakistan will be Urdu and no other language. Anyone who tries to mislead you is really the enemy of Pakistan. Without one language, no nation can remain solidly tied together and function. Look at the history of other countries. Therefore, so far as the state language is concerned, Pakistan's shall be Urdu " - (Jinnah 1948: 89).

" Hi ! Guys ! Can you imagine a day without your mother language? Can you think a situation that somebody is making bound you not to speak in your mother language? So, what will your feeling be then? We can guess this will be one of the worst situation in your life. This worst thing was going to be permanent for the Bangladeshi people. But The Non Bengali leaders of West Pakistan could not do so because Bangali (Present Bangladeshi) people are very much patient and hospitable but not so patient that they bear the decision of snatching their mother language."

Image Credit - BD Story 17 (First letter of Bangla Alphabet)

In the year 1951 the problems grew again and multiplied further. In this crucial moment in the year 1952 the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Khwaja Nazimuddin, again reiterated the previous declaration that "Urdu will be the state language of Pakistan" avoiding the feeling & extreme protest of the East Pakistani. This rewind of the declaration create serious discontent amongst the Bengali population of East Pakistan and a flame of protest spread over the country against this decision.

People of East Pakistan (present Bangladesh), specially the students were not ready accept this decision at any cost. They argued that this decision is a total violation of democracy and this is the total indication East Pakistan is not independent as West Pakistan authority is constituting the whole government and they are going to snatching the mother tongue of 56% of the total population. They demanded that BANGLA should have the prestige and power as state language along with URDU.
You can easily guess how deep was the disparity through the following statistics. The capital of the country was situated in West Pakistan whereas the main city of East Pakistan was neglected. Its 80% employees are from West Pakistan mostly from Punjab and only 2% represent from East Pakistan in the Military section. In the national budget the disparity was so acute that it seems West Pakistani was King and East Pakistan was beggar. Thus the great historical plot was developed.

Image Credit - Tlaxcala-int

In response to the statement of The Prime minister politicians along with the students stand in a fiery position and "All Party State Language Committee" was formed on 31st January,1952 to protest the matter and to achieve the Honor and Prestige of The Mother Tongue again. A 16 member committee was held up. 21st February was chosen as the day for protesting since it was the schedule time for Budget Session of East Bengal. A whole day strike and procession was planned on that day.
As it was expected that Pakistani Government will not make the way smooth for the people of East Province, they showed their ugly face again. On 20th February in the evening government imposed Section 144 in the city and banned any gathering, procession even at least for five persons. That evening "All Party State Language Committee" met in an urgent meeting at Awami League Premises but it was tough to take a decision because the top two leader Mowlana A.H.K Bhasani was at Tangail (in his village home) and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was jailed. The 16 committee member were not unanimous to break section 144 but later the decision was taken in a vote of 11 to 4 in favor of breaking section 144.

After taking decision of breaking section 144 again confusion arise as most of the top political leaders opposed the idea of massive clash with the armed forces. But the students were determined and full of patriotic spirit that it seemed no power of this world can prevent them to achieve their birth and civil right. The next morning on 21st February students of Dhaka University, Dhaka Medical College, Engineering University gathered at Dhaka University premises and start slogan "We want Bangla as state Language" , "We don't obey section 144". .

Image Credit - Banglanama

As time was passing tension and fury was also rising. At mid day students remembered that budget session was going to be start at 3.00PM and they planned not to reach the minister in assembly building. Students were gathering more and more and before 3.00PM a large group of students broke out with a great procession. By this time armed police were deployed in a great number and the then District Magistrate Koreyshi command to open fire. The police opened fire and throw tire shells in a great number. Consequently a number of students were shot spot dead ! 21st February took the permanent hue of red from that day. We lost out brother. It is red till date.

Thousands of the students were injured. Thousands of the students were arrested also. Following the news of the death of the students the situation was deteriorating and students called a full day strike on the following day 22nd February. On that day some other rebels were also dead by the police. Thus the way the Great Language Movement was going on & finally the Bengali achieved the right of their mother tongue. Still today we believe that language movement not only give us the right to Speak our Language but also paved the way of Liberation war in 1971.

Image Credit - Matrivsha.blogpost

The great souls that sacrificed for Language Movement

Age: 25
Marital Status: Unmarried
Occupation : Student
Education : Post Graduation Students Political Science

Abul Barkat was in the procession that students mobilised on the premises of the Dhaka Medical College hostel on 21 February. When the police fired on the gathering, Barkat was shot dead.

He was laid to rest in Azimpur graveyard at Dhaka , Bangladesh.

Age: 33
Marital Status: Married
Occupation : Job
Education : Junior School

In 1952, Abdul Jabbar came to Dhaka on 20h February for the medical treatment of his mother-in-law, a cancer patient. He got her admitted into the Medical College Hospital. In the morning of 21 February Jabbar went to hospital to see his mother-in-law. After a moment Jabbar went outside the hospital gate to buy some fruits for the patient. The procession of language movement was culminating outside. Crowds with fiery eyes and thundering slogans - We demand Bangla as state language - turned the university campus into a battleground. The spirit of the protesting crowd sucked Jabbar in within a flash. Mother-in-law, hospital, fruits all faded away from his memory. Jabbar joined with the crowd, he carried the banner in front . When the police opened fire, Jabbar being in the front line, was one of the first to fall. .

Age: 27
Marital Status: Unmarried
Occupation : Peon of Director Dhaka Industries
Education : Unknown

Deprived of the opportunity to receive a good education, Abdus Salam used to serve as a peon in the Department of Industries of the government.On 21 February 1952 Abdus Salam took part in the demonstration and was shot when the police fired on the crowd. He received treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital for over a month but passed away on 7 April 1952.

Age: 34
Marital Status: Married
Occupation : Superintend, Post and telegraph office
Education : Law dept. student, Dhaka University

28 years old High Court staff and a law student Shafiur Rahman was killed by the Pakistani troops beside the Khoshmahal Restaurant near Rathkhola on Nababpur road. Shafiur Rahman was the father of a daughter and left behind his pregnant wife and a big family dependent on his income.

Age: 26
Marital Status: Unmarried
Occupation : Press Business
Education : Intermediate

Accompanied by his nephew, Rafique went to Dhaka for shopping for his forthcoming wedding.On 21st February 1952, although scheduled to return home with his huge wedding shopping, Rafique, due to his love for Mother language, instead of going home, joined the protest rally of Bangla Language Movement organized by the students of Dhaka university . His love for his mother tongue surpassed his life long passion for his sweet heart love Panu (forthcoming wife) to whom he never returned as a groom. He was shot dead by the cops in the language procession on that black day.

Abdul Awal, the poor and Innocent Rickshaw Puller died under the police truck used to disperse the funeral procession of the martyrs of the Bangla language movement.This illiterate brave man was 26 at that time.

Like Abdul Awal, A young unidentified lad was run over by the police truck used to disperse the funeral procession of the martyrs of the Bangla language movement. His death was never acknowledged by the Pakistani government.

" Tribute to the

Great Heroes

who dedicated

their lives for

Mother Language "

The song "Amar Vaier Rokte Rangano" was recognized as the most influential song of the Language Movement of Bangladesh. The song is sung every year in the the march in barefoot towards the Martyrs Monuments of Dhaka to pay homage to the martyrs. The song was first set to music by Abdul Latif, but later the composer Altaf Mahmud changed the tune to the present version. It is regarded by the listeners of BBC Bengali Service as the third best song in Bengali.

This great immortal song was written by Abdul Gaffar Choudhury . The following English version is translated by Kabir Choudhury.

"My Brothers Blood Spattered 21 February "

Can I forget the twenty-first of February
incarnadined by the love of my brother?
The twenty-first of February, built by the tears
of a hundred mothers robbed of their sons,
Can I ever forget it?
Wake up all serpents,
wake up all summer thunder-storms,
let the whole world rise up
in anger and protest against the massacre of innocent children.
They tried to crush the demand of the people
by murdering the golden sons of the land.
Can they get away with it
at this hour when the times are poised
for a radical change?
No, no, no, no,
In the history reddened by blood
the final verdict has been given already
by the twenty-first of February.
It was a smooth and pleasant night,
with the winter nearly gone
and the moon smiling in the blue sky
and lovely fragrant flowers blossoming on the roadside,
and all of a sudden rose a storm,
fierce like a wild horde of savage beasts.
Even in the darkness we know who those beasts were.
On them we shower the bitterest hatred
of all mothers brothers and sisters.
They fired at the soul of this land,
They tried to silence the demand of the people,
They kicked at the bosom of Bengal.
They did not belong to this country.
They wanted to sell away her good fortune.
They robbed the people of food, clothing and peace.
On them we shower our bitterest hatred.
Wake up today, the twenty-first of February.
do wake you, please.
Our heroic boys and girls still languish in the prisons of the tyrant.
The souls of my martyred brothers still cry.
But today everywhere the somnolent strength
of the people have begun to stir
and we shall set February ablaze
by the flame of our fierce anger.
How can I ever forget the twenty-first of February?

Image Credit - Syed Zakir Hossain, The Daily Star

Every year the Bangladeshi people celebrate the day in every city of our country. In Dhaka ( The capital of Bangladesh), Central Sahid Minar (Central Monument of the Language Movement ) is the main place of this celebration. A massive preparation starts couple of days before of 21st February .The tribute to our golden boys begins just after Prime Minister of our country show respect by offer Salute and flower to that warriors of that day. All over of the Dhaka University and "Central Monument of the Language Movement" get decorated by the student of Art & Culture of Dhaka University.

Image Credit - en.bdtodaynews

Finally, just after the salute of Prime Minister, President and other important Political parties millions of country's barefooted people, wearing black badges, visited the Monument for whole the day long.The 21st February programs included hoisting national and black flags, seminar, cultural programs and decoration of important roads and road islands with Bangla letter-inscribed festoons in the capital city.

Thousands of Cultural Institutes organized various programs, discussion, cultural function, recitation and handwriting competition through out the country.

Image Credit - The Daily Star.net

Image Credit - Amirul Rajiv, The Daily Star

We have told earlier that In the year 1952 Bangladeshi People specially the students started movement to achieve the declaration that Bangla is also the state language. But, through the brutality of Police several young life namely Salam, Rafiq, Jabbar, Barkat and some other has turned dead. So, to commemoration these great heroes we previously observed the day as National Martyr day.
From the patriotic zeal and love for mother language two migrated Bangladeshi people Mr. Rafiqul Islam and Mr. Abdus Salam resident of Vancouver of Canada approach to Mr. Kofi Annan the then President of United Nation to announce 21st February as International Mother Language Day. It happened in 1998. After that it was presented as a resolution in the UNESCO and finally UNESCO announced the great news for Language on 17th November,1999 that February 21 will be observed as International Mother Language Day Globally. Since 2000 this day was being observed as International Mother Language Day by all the member country of UN. I have no word to describe the great decision which was declared on 21st October, 2010 by UN that it will officially observed the Day as International Mother Language Day. I think nothing will carry such honor for Bangladesh ever.

Being a Bangladeshi I am proud that our Language Day is observed around the world as International Mother Language Day.Now, this day is not only a day for us, but it also plays as an inspiration to others who want to protect their language and own culture.

Image Credit - Mother Language Day.org

Language is the main source and bearer of culture of a country. So, to protect and enrich culture, language is the main weapon. The significance of international Mother Language Day is to bloom all the languages fully. To give language proper respect. To protect Language from extinction. Any language should not be oppressed even if it is orally used by tiny group of people. Every language either used by large or small group should be treated with same honor and prestige. On the day the people should not only love their own mother tongue but also to respect other. In this way a man can be inspired to love his mother language. The Bangladeshi people had given a great example how to love Mother Language and what is the value of Mother Language by giving their blood for Mother Language Is there be anything like Mom, Country and Language?

International Mother Language Day is an observance held annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. In 2012 the theme of the International Mother Language day is "Mother tongue instruction and inclusive education". The UNESCO would like to highlight the importance of mother tongue from the angle of the right to education and encourage each member state to promote instruction and education in mother tongue.

Image Credit - Facebook Timeline Cover Photos Blogspot

To me the word "MOTHER" is the sweetest word of the world. And I also appreciate this idea to produce products with the word "MOTHER" in different languages.I always like this " how to say mom in different languages " or ideas like this. Every language has its unique way and style of addressing mother but I think the feeling of addressing mom in other languages is the same . I found some fun products using this idea in Zazzle . Let take a look :

Central Monument

of the

Language Movement

Bangladesh