4. • The Topic Of Discussions:
History
Observance of the day
Significance of the recognition
Importance of the day
5. : History
February 21st is observed as the language day. This day is the culmination of a serious of protest
and events that took place between 1948 and 1952.After the independence of Pakistan the ruling
authority of west Pakistan recognized Urdu as the state language of Pakistan in 1948 and tired to
impose it on the Bangla-speaking majority people. Not only that they also denied the demand of the
Bangalis for the recognition of Bangla as the state language.
In 1952 protests erupted throughout East Pakistan against the imposition of Urdu and for the
recognition of Bangla as the state language of Pakistan. The ruling authority imposed section 144
all over the country as the protest grew stronger. However, when students, politician and general
masses brought out a procession in Dhaka University area defying the section 144,the police
charged fire on the procession. As a result, Rafiq,Jabbar,Salam,Barkat;Shafiq met martyrdom.
Finally,Bangla was recognized as the state language. Since then, the day is observed throughout the
country with solemnity and due homage.
7. Observance of the day:
On 17 November 1999, UNESCO, a specialized organization of United Nations
(UN) recognized our language movement and sacrifices of the Martyrs. They
declared that UNESCO would observe the day internationally. Since 2000, The
International Mother Language Day is being observed all over the world. The
recognition by the UNESCO and the observance of the day by the international
community has increased our national glory and uplifted the sacrifices of our
language martyrs. Through UNESCO recognition, our language day has got
international status.
9. Significance of the recognition:
The recognition of our language day and the proclamation of the observance of the
day internationally is very significant.UNESCO’S recognition is not simply a
recognition of our language movement, but it recognizes that is the birth right of
every nation or race to speak in their own language. The proclamation also said
that this recognition would help to preserve all the languages of the world and that
diversity of languages is important to maintain cultural identity and distinction.
11. Importance of the day:
Since 1952, the 21st February is observed as the language day in our country. We
remember our martyrs, their sacrifices and pay homage to the heroic souls who laid
down their lives for the cause of our mother tongue. We have erected monuments
(known as Said Miner) in remembrance of them and on 21 February we offer
flower wreaths and stand silent in honor of them.
However, the importance of 21st February and it’s observance lies elsewhere. It is
a sows the seed of our liberation war. And importantly, the language movement
teaches us that we have raise for achieving our rights, for establishing our place of
honor and dignity in the world. It teaches us not to bow down to any oppression. It
also inspires us to sacrifice our most treasured thing for sake of the country. So the
importance of international Mother Language Day is very significant.
