The Political Movement in East Bengal.

1. Presentation on
The Political Movement in East Bengal
and the Rise of Nationalism (1947-1970)
Presented By-
Prakash Chandra Roy
Asst. Teacher (BGS), English Version
Ideal School and College
(Banasree Branch)

2. Primitive Stage of Language Movement
 The question about the issue of state
language was raised immediately after
the creation of Pakistan.
 The central government of Pakistan
forcedly declared "Urdu" as the only state
language.
 The intellectuals & people of all classes
started to raise their voice & it soon
converted into a mass movement.

3. Major Causes Behind The Movement:
Social & Cultural causes:
 Language is the crucial part of any culture.
 "Urdu" Failed to represent our culture.
Political Causes:
 Bangla must be lifted to achieve freedom in real sense.
 Domination of any alien language is the worst kind of domination.
 The mistake became a weapon.
Economic Causes:
 Exclusion of Bangla.
 People will Become " illiterate & ineligible".
 Causing economic downfall.

4. Major Events of Language Movement:
1947:
 Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh University of
India Suggested that "Urdu" Should be the state language of Pakistan.
 At the same time Dr Md. Shahidullah, a noted Bengali linguistic from
Dhaka University opposed.
May 17:
 Muslim League leaders announced in Hyderabad, India, that Urdu will
become the only State language of the future state of Pakistan.
1937:
 Mohammad Ali Jinnah proposed Urdu as official language.
 Shere-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Haque, protested against it.

5. Major Events of Language Movement:
1947: September 2
 Tamaddun Majlish published a pamphlet.
"Pakistaner Rashtrobhasha Bangla na Urdu?

6. Major Events of Language Movement:
1947
 December 6: Teachers & students of the University of Dhaka
demanded Bangla as an official Language.
 December 30: First "Rashtrobhasha Sangram Parishad" was
formed.

7. Major Events of Language Movement:
1948:
February 23:
 When it was proposed that the members of the
constituent Assembly would have to speak either
in Urdu or in English,
 Dhirendranath Datta requested Bangla as an official language in
constituent Assembly of Pakistan held in Karachi.
 He noted that out of 69 million population of Pakistan, 44 million were
from East Pakistan and Bangla as there mother tongue.
 Liaquat Ali Khan, Khawaja Nazimuddin and others opposed.
Population
|—| East Pakistan |—| West Pakistan
Total 69 Million

8. Major Events of Language Movement:
1948:
March-11:
 A general strike was observed in the towns of East Pakistan in protest against the omission
of Bangla from the languages of the constituent assembly, absence of Bangla letters in
Pakistani coins and stamps, and the use of Urdu in recruitment tests for the Navy.
 In particular situation Khwaja Nazimuddin signed an eight-point agreement with the
Rastrabhasha Songram Porishad it was mentioned that Bangla will also be honored as one
of the official languages.

9. Major Events of Language Movement:
1948:
March-21:
 Md. Ali Jinnah, the Governor General of Pakistan,
Declared, "Urdu and only Urdu" will be the state language
of Pakistan in Ramna Racecourse (Suhrawardy Uddan),
Dhaka, East Pakistan.
March-24:
 Again Jinnah Declared, "Urdu and only Urdu" as the only
state language of Pakistan in Curzon hall. Then the present
students protested by crying out collectively "no, no" in loud
voice.

10. Major Events of Language Movement:
1950:
 Liaquat Ali Khan declared, " Urdu and only Urdu will
be the state Language of Pakistan."

11. Major Events of Language Movement:
1952:
January 26:
 Khawja Nazimuddin declared "Only Urdu" as the state language in Paltan Maidan, Dhaka.
 This enraged the people of East Pakistan.
February 4:
 Adbul Matin formed "Dhaka University's State Language Committee" in Language protest.
Shorbodolio Kendrio Rashtrobhasha Kormi Porishod decided to declare February
21 as the day for strikes throughout the province terming the day as "Bhasha Dibosh"
(Language Day).
 Gaziul Haq and Adbul Matin led student procession.

12. Major Events of Language Movement:
1952:
February 20: Section 144, banning all processions & meetings for the next 30 days.
February 21:
 At nine o'clock in the morning, students began
gathering on the Dhaka University premises in
defiance of Section 144.
 Police opened fire and killed a number of
students, including Abdus Salam, Rafiq
Uddin Ahmed, Abul Barkat and Abdul Jabbar.

13. Major Events of Language Movement:
1952:
February 22:
 "Gayebana Janaza" held for Ekushey martyrs.
 First Shaheed Minar was built in Dhaka.
 Death of Shafiur Rahman.

14. Consequence and significance:
Writings:
Mahbub-ul-Alam : "Kadte Aashini Fashir Dabi Niye Aeshechi"
Aalauddin Al Azad : "Smritir Minar“
Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury : “Amar bhaier rokte rangano ekushe February, ami ki vulite pari’
Abdul Latif : Ora amar mukher bhasha kaira nite chaye and Tora Dhaka shohor rokte vhashaili.
Dr. Munir Chowdhury : "Kobor",
Jahir Raihan : "Arek Falgun".
 Shorbodolio Kendrio Rahstrobhasha Kormi Porishod decided to commemorate 21
February as Shohid Dibosh.
February 29,1956:
 Recognition made on the constitution that "The state language of
Pakistan shall be Urdu and Bengali." 214 (1).
 This movement laid a major foundation of our liberation war.

15. Consequence and significance:
 Finally, 17 November, 1999, the UNESCO recognized 21 February
as International Mother Language Day.