International Mother Language Day: In 1999, UNESCO recognised February 21 as the International Mother Language Day, honouring the sacrifices of the Bangladesh Bhasha Andolan, or Language Movement, and highlighting the importance of linguistic diversity and preservation worldwide. The Bhasha Andolan was a political movement in what was then East Pakistan, advocating for the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of the country. This movement saw a lot of bloodbath but eventually led to the recognition of Bangla as a state language.
The significance of the Language Movement extends beyond its immediate political outcomes. It is seen as a key moment in the assertion of Bengali cultural and national identity, which played a significant role in the subsequent movement for Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.
Here are some facts about the Language Movement and the International Mother Language Day.
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10 Facts About Bangladesh Language Movement And International Mother Language Day
1. In 1947, the British left India after effecting Partition and creating Pakistan, geographically and linguistically dividing the land into West and East Pakistan, This division laid the groundwork for a linguistic conflict, as the two regions had distinct languages and cultural identities, with Bangla, or Bengali, being the predominant language in the East.
2. The Pakistani government decided to declare Urdu as the sole national language, which sparked widespread protests among the Bengali-speaking majority in the east in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Imposition of Urdu as the only state language was perceived as an attempt to undermine Bengali culture and identity. The resistance against this policy was seen as not just a fight for language rights but also a struggle against cultural domination and political marginalisation.
3. The Language Movement was significantly driven by university students, intellectuals, and cultural activists. Universities and colleges became hubs of resistance, with students organising rallies, meetings, and protests that played a crucial role in mobilising the public.
4. The movement reached its climax on February 21, 1952, when a group of students and political activists in Dhaka protested against the government’s language policy. The peaceful demonstration was met with violent police action, resulting in numerous deaths.
5. The protests and subsequent deaths led to widespread outrage and a reevaluation of language policy in Pakistan. Eventually, Bengali was granted official status alongside Urdu, marking a significant victory for the movement. This shift highlighted the power of collective action in influencing government policy and legal frameworks.
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6. February 21 is remembered as the focal point of the Language Movement, and Bangladesh observes the day as Shaheed Dibosh (Martyrs’ Day), honouring those who made the supreme sacrifice for their mother tongue, the Bengali language.
7. The movement also saw the emergence of Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman, first as a student leader and then a statesman, and eventually the founder of Bangladesh as it became an independent country in 1971.
8. The Language Movement had sparked a renaissance in Bengali culture, literature, and arts. It led to a resurgence of interest in Bengali heritage, with poets, writers, and artists drawing inspiration from the movement. This period saw a flourishing of Bengali culture that contributed to the strengthening of national identity.
9. The recognition of International Mother Language Day by UNESCO was a significant moment of international solidarity. It acknowledged the universal importance of linguistic diversity and the right to linguistic expression. This recognition brought global attention to the issues raised by the Language Movement and underscored the interconnectedness of language rights and human rights.
10. The success of the Bangladesh Language Movement served as an inspiration for other linguistic and cultural movements around the world. It demonstrated how organised, peaceful protest could effect change and has been cited as a model by other groups fighting for language recognition and rights.
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