International Mother Language Day is celebrated worldwide on 21st February every year. but most of us don't know from where this day came from.

1. ASSIGNMENT ON
“The Context & Consequences of Language Movement”
HUM- 4101
[History of The Emergence of IndependentBangladesh]
Submitted To
Dr Shamsunnahar Khanom
Submitted By
T. M. Mehrab Hasan
Roll No. : 1901049

2. Primitive Stage of Language Movement:
The question about the issue of state languagewas raised immediately after
the creation of Pakistan. The central governmentof 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.
Major Causes Behind The Movement:
# Social & Cultural causes:
• Language is the crucial part of any culture.
• “Urdu” Failed to representour culture.
# Political Causes:
• Bangla must be lifted to achieve freedomin real sense.
• Domination of any alien language is the worstkind of domination.
• The mistakebecame a weapon.
# Economic Causes:
• Exclusion of Bangla.
• Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah’s point of view.
• People will Become “ illiterate & ineligible”.
• Causing economic downfall.

3. 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 fromDhaka University
opposed.
May 17:
MuslimLeague leaders announced in Hyderabad, India, thatUrdu will
become the only State language of the future state of Pakistan.
September 15:
TamaddunMajlish published a pamphlet. “Pakistaner Rashtrobhasha
Bangla na Urdu?”
December 6:
Teachers & students of the University of Dhaka demanded Bangla as an
official Language.
December 30:
First“Rashtrobhasha Sangram Parishad” was formed by Tamaddun’s
Professor NurulHaque Bhuiyan.
# 1948:

4. February 23:
When it was proposed thatthe members of the constituent Assembly
would have to speak either in Urdu or in English, “DhirendranathDatta”
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
fromEast Pakistan and Bangla as there mother tongue. Liaquat Ali Khan, Khawaja
Nazimuddin and others opposed.
March 11:
A general strike was observed in the towns of East Pakistan in protest
against the omission of Bangla fromthe languages of the constituent assembly,
absence of Bangla letters in Pakistanicoins 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 students leader whereit was mentioned that
Bangla will also be honored as one of the official languages.
March 21:
Md. Ali Jinnah, the Governor Generalof Pakistan, Declared, “Urdu and
only Urdu” as the state language of Pakistan in Ramna Racecourse(Suhrawardy
Uddan), Dhaka, EastPakistan.
March 24:
Again Jinnah Declared, “Urdu and only Urdu” as the only state
language of Pakistan in Curzon hall. Then the presentstudents protested by crying
out collectively “no, no” in loud voice.

5. September 11:
Jinnah Died. Nazimuddin became the new Governor General of Pakistan.
#1949:
June 23:
Awami Muslim League was formed by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan
Bhashani.
#1950:
Liaquat Ali Khan declared, “ Urdu and only Urdu will be the state Languageof
Pakistan.”
#1952:
January 26:
Nazimuddin declared “Only Urdu” as the state language in PaltanMaidan,
Dhaka. This enraged the people of East Pakistan.
February 4:
AdbulMatin formed “Dhaka University’s StateLanguage Committee” in
Languageprotest. Shorbodolio Kendrio Rashtrobhasha KormiPorishod decided to
declare February 21 as the day for strikes throughoutthe provinceterming the
day as “Bhasha Dibosh” (LanguageDay). GaziulHaq and AdbulMatin led student
procession.

6. 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 Barkatand
Abdul Jabbar.
February 22:
-> “Gayebana Janaza” held for Ekushey martyrs.
-> But more people killed again.
-> FirstShaheed Minar was built in Dhaka.
-> Death of Shafiur Rahman.
Consequence and significance:
-> Decided to commemorate 21 February as Shohid Dibosh by the Shorbodolio
Kendrio Rahstrobhasha KormiPorishod.
-> February 29, 1956: Recognition made on the constitution that “The state
language of Pakistan shallbe Urdu and Bengali.” 214 (1) .
-> This movement laid a major foundation of our liberation war.

7. -> Finally, 17 November, 1999, theUNESCO General Convenience recognized 21
February as InternationalMother LanguageDay.