President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister (PM) Tarique Rahman paid solemn tributes to the Language Movement martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar in the first minutes of International Mother Language Day and Martyrs Day.

At 12:01 am on Friday, the head of state and head of government laid wreaths at the memorial in Dhaka, honoring those who sacrificed their lives on February 21, 1952, to protect the status of Bangla as a state language.

The president placed the first wreath shortly after midnight, followed by the prime minister. Both leaders stood in silence for several moments in remembrance of the fallen heroes.

After the wreath-laying ceremony, the prime minister joined thousands of attendees in a special prayer seeking peace for the souls of the martyrs. He later paid tribute again alongside members of his cabinet and advisers. Senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party also placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.

February 21 marks the 74th anniversary of the historic Language Movement, when students protesting for Bangla to be recognized as a state language of then Pakistan were met with police gunfire. Several protesters, including Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Shafiur and Jabbar, were killed. Their sacrifice is widely regarded as a defining moment in Bangladesh’s struggle for cultural and political rights.

In recognition of the movement’s significance, UNESCO in 2010 declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day, now observed worldwide to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.

The day’s nationwide program began at 12:01 am with the offering of wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar. Political, social and cultural organizations have organized processions, discussions and commemorative events across the country. Participants are wearing black badges as a symbol of mourning.

For Bangladeshis, the day is one of both grief and pride, commemorating a rare instance in history when people gave their lives for their mother tongue. The nation renews its pledge each year to uphold the dignity of the Bangla language.

February 21 is observed as a public holiday. The national flag is being flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous and private institutions, alongside black flags. President Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Rahman issued separate messages marking the occasion.

Opposition leader in parliament and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman paid tribute to the Language Movement martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar in early hours of Saturday on the Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day.

At 12:22 am, Dr Rahman placed a wreath at the altar of the Shaheed Minar, honoring those who were killed on February 21, 1952, while demanding recognition of Bangla as a state language.

He was accompanied by Opposition Whip and Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, and other senior leaders of the 11-party Jamaat-led alliance.

According to Jamaat sources, after paying homage at the Central Shaheed Minar, Dr Rahman is scheduled to visit the graves of the Language Movement martyrs at Azimpur Graveyard to offer prayers seeking peace for their souls.

Sun News/ra