The document summarizes the language movement in Bangladesh that advocated for making Bengali a state language rather than only Urdu. It describes how in 1947, Urdu was declared the sole official language, sparking protests. Major events included strikes in 1952 and police opening fire on protesting students on February 21st, martyring several students. This movement established Bengali's status and laid the foundation for Bangladesh's war of independence.

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.

4. Economic Causes:
• Exclusion of Bangla.
• Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah’s point of view.
• People will Become “ illiterate & ineligible”.
• Causing economic downfall.
Major Causes Behind The Movement:

5. Major Events of Language Movement:
1947:
May 17: Muslim League leaders announced in Hyderabad, India, that Urdu will become
the only State language of the future state of Pakistan.
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.

6. September 15: Tamaddun Majlish published a pamphlet.
“Pakistaner Rashtrobhasha Bangla na
Urdu?”
Major Events of Language Movement:
1947:

7. Major Events of Language Movement:
December 30: First “Rashtrobhasha Sangram Parishad” was formed by Tamaddun’s
Professor Nurul Haque Bhuiyan.
December 6: Teachers & students of the University of Dhaka demanded Bangla as an
official Language.
1947:

8. 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
25 M
44 M
Total 69 Million
Major Events of Language Movement:

9. Major Events of Language Movement:
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.
1948:
In particular situation Khwaja Nazimuddin signed an eight-point agreement with the
students leader where it was mentioned that Bangla will also be honored as one of the
official languages.

10. Major Events of Language Movement:
March 21: Md. Ali Jinnah, the
Governor General of Pakistan, Declared,
“Urdu and only Urdu” as the state
language of Pakistan in Ramna
Racecourse (Suhrawardy Uddan),
Dhaka, East Pakistan.

11. Major Events of Language Movement:
1948:
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.
September 11: Jinnah Died. Nazimuddin became the new Governor
General of Pakistan.

12. Major Events of Language Movement:
1949:
June 23: Awami Muslim League was formed by
Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.

13. Major Events of Language Movement:
1950:
Liaquat Ali Khan declared, “ Urdu and only Urdu will be the state
Language of Pakistan.”

14. Major Events of Language Movement:
1952:
January 26: 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.

15. 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.

16. Major Events of Language Movement:
1952:
February 22: - “Gayebana Janaza” held for Ekushey martyrs.
- But more people killed again.
- First Shaheed Minar was built in Dhaka.
- Death of Shafiur Rahman.

17. Consequence and significance:
- Decided to commemorate 21 February as Shohid Dibosh by the Shorbodolio Kendrio
Rahstrobhasha Kormi Porishod.
- 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.

18. Consequence and significance:
- Finally, 17 November, 1999, the UNESCO General Convenience recognized
21 February as International Mother Language Day.

19. Thank you
For your Attention
Do you have
Any
Question??