Amar Ekushey is being observed on Wednesday across Bangladesh through paying homage to the heroes of the 1952 Language Movement by placing wreaths at the altars of Shaheed Minars, morning processions and discussions.
A pivotal event in the nation’s history that championed the recognition of Bangla as a state language, the day, also known as International Mother Language Day, underscores the country's commitment to linguistic and cultural preservation.
People from all walks of life in barefoot paid respect to the language movement martyrs who sacrificed their lives to establish Bangla as a state language.
Different political parties, including the ruling Awami League and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party along with socio- cultural and educational institutions have placed wreaths at the altar of Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka city.
After placing wreaths at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar, ruling AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said that the country's main obstacle was communalism.
'The poisonous tree of communalism expanded its branches under the leadership of the BNP that would be uprooted under the prime minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership. It is our commitment,' claimed Quader, aslo the road, transport and bridges minister.
BNP also paid tribute to the central Shaheed Minar led by its senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Replying to the AL GS Quader's statement, Rizvi alleged that Awami League was a self-contradicting and impostor political party as the party had launched movement through coalition with Islamic political parties in past days.
'They [AL] have nothing in their basket. What they could say except these? They killed democracy and freedom of expression. Free and fair election was also made disappeared by them,' explained Rizvi..
President Mohammed Shahabuddin was the first to place a wreath at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar on behalf of the nation as the clock ticked on minute mid-night past today, followed by prime minister Sheikh as the head of the government.
The president and the prime minister stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of profound respect to the language heroes.
Hasina along with her party leaders and cabinet colleagues placed a wreath at the altar on behalf of the ruling Awami League, followed by Jatiya Sangsad speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, chief justice Obaidul Hassan and other justices, deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku, ministers, leader of the opposition in parliament GM Quader, chiefs of three forces.
The events of February 21, 1952, when students and citizens of Dhaka protested against Urdu's imposition as the sole official language, mark a critical juncture in Bangladesh's struggle for self-determination. The brutal police response resulted in the deaths of several protestors, including Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, and Jabbar, galvanizing the nation towards eventual independence in 1971.
UNESCO's recognition of Ekushey February as International Mother Language Day in 1999 further elevated its global significance, promoting linguistic diversity and cultural heritage worldwide.
On this day, the national flag is flown at half-mast, and black flags are hoisted across major buildings, with Bangladesh Missions abroad also partaking in the observances.
