If we want to know why this particular day gets celebrated as the International Mother Languages day. We have to delve deeper into the history of the subcontinent.In the year 1947 when India was divided by the basis of religion. Another country named Pakistan was created. And when it was created in 1947, it had two completely geographically separate parts: East Pakistan (currently known as Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (currently known as Pakistan). The two parts were very different from each other in the sense of culture and language. The two parts were also separated by India in between
history of india and Pakistan mother language :
In 1948, the Government of Pakistan declared that Urdu is to be the sole national language of Pakistan as a whole. Even though Bengali or Bangla was spoken by the majority of in East Pakistan . The erstwhile East Pakistani people protested against this decision taken by mostly West Pakistani political leaders to impose Urdu, an unfamiliar language unto them. The common people protested, they demanded Bangla to be at least one of the national languages, in addition to Urdu. This demand was primarily raised by Dhirendra Nath Datta from East Pakistan on 23 February 1948, in the constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
read about -: rise of TMC in Bangal with full details
To crush this protest, Pakistan government outlawed public meeting and rallies. The students of the University of Dhaka, with the support of the general public, arranged massive rallies and meetings despite of this. On 21st of February 1952, police opened fire on rallies. Abdus Salam, Abul Barkat, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Jabbar and Shafiur Rahman died, with hundreds of others injured.
This was a rare incident in history, where people sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue. To commemorate their sacrifice and dedication to their mother tongue ,in the 30th General Assembly of UNESCO ,a part of the United Nations unanimously resolved that “21st February be proclaimed International Mother Language Day throughout the world to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on this very day in 1952.
‘Shohid Dubos’ or ‘ The Martyrs’ day’ and mother language day
From then on each 21st February, International Mother Language Day gets celebrated in every country of the world. But Bengali speaking people of both West Bengal and Bangladesh celebrates this day with much more pomp than most others. In Bangladesh, Bangladeshis celebrate this solemn day by placing flowers at the Martyrs’ Monument and its replicas. This day is also considered a public holiday in the country since 1953, They call this day as ‘Shohid Dubos’ or ‘ The Martyrs’ day’. Today, thousands of Bangladeshis will organize several social gatherings honoring their language and culture, holding literary competitions, draw beautific alpanas on the roads,
Their floor and courtyards and will enjoy delicious festive meals and listen to songs.The Bangla Academy of Bangladesh arranges Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka for the whole month of February. In the adjacent Indian state of West Bengal who shares the very same language and culture with Bangladesh. ‘Prabhat pheri’s or ‘ Walks in the morning ‘are arranged all over the districts. Special cultural functions are arranged. And cultural programmes themed on ” The mother language day” are performed with zeal. People show their respect to the martyrs by remembering them through music, poetry and dance dramas.
This day is not only important for the Bengalees and Bengali language as a whole but it celebrates the beauty and the culture of each and every mother tongue humanity created. Celebrating one’s mother tongue is celebrating one’s own roots. So that’s why this day gets celebrated.
