Shaheed Minar set for midnight tributes on Language Martyrs’ Day

Tight security has been enforced across Dhaka University since the afternoon

The Central Shaheed Minar at Dhaka University has been fully prepared to pay tribute to the language martyrs in the early hours of Ekushey.

A dense security blanket has been thrown over the entire monument area to ensure safety during the proceedings.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have been scheduled to pay their respects to the language heroes at the first stroke of midnight.

Local government minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other cabinet members have already arrived at the venue.

The observance marks the sacrifice of students and activists in 1952 who protested for Bangla to be recognised as a state language.

Police opened fire on the demonstrators, killing Abdus Salam, Abdul Jabbar, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Barkat, Shafiur Rahman and many others whose names remain unknown.

Following this sacrifice, the then-Pakistani government recognised Bangla as one of the state languages.

This movement eventually served as the catalyst for the armed struggle in 1971 that resulted in the independence of Bangladesh.

Large crowds have been seen queuing with flowers in their hands, waiting for the clock to strike midnight.

Leaders and activists from political parties, social organisations, and cultural groups have also gathered, waiting for their turn to place floral wreaths at the altar of the martyrs.

What began as a day of remembrance for Bengali sacrifice is now observed globally. Feb 21 is marked worldwide as International Mother Language Day.

On Nov 17, 1999, UNESCO proclaimed Feb 21 as International Mother Language Day. Ekushey, rooted in the language movement of Bengal, now stands as a day advocating linguistic rights for people across the world.