Today, International Mother Language Day is being celebrated worldwide, a special day recognized by UNESCO in memory of the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement. Various countries, including Bangladesh, are honoring the language martyrs through a range of events. In Bangladesh, February 21 is observed as Martyrs’ Day. Since early morning, the nation has been paying tribute to the language martyrs through processions, laying wreaths at the Shaheed Minar, and organizing cultural and discussion programs.
A large crowd has gathered at the central Shaheed Minar at Dhaka University. Various political, social, and cultural organizations are honoring the martyrs, and ordinary citizens are also wearing black badges to commemorate them. In 1999, at the initiative of Bangladesh, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day.
Since then, there has been a global emphasis on linguistic diversity and the preservation of mother languages. Countries around the world are hosting seminars, discussion forums, language festivals, and cultural programs to mark the occasion. According to a UNESCO report, approximately 40% of the world’s nearly 7,000 languages are at risk of extinction. Losing a language equates to erasing a nation’s history, culture, and identity.
Thus, the spirit of International Mother Language Day serves as a rallying cry for the preservation of every language, as expressed by linguists and researchers. Bangladesh’s Language Movement has become an inspiring model for the global struggle for language rights. The unique history of dedicating lives for language continues to empower people to stand up for their mother tongues.
Today’s observance is not merely a day of remembrance but a pledge to uphold and preserve the dignity of every language, according to leaders of the language rights movement.
— Abdul Kaiyum, International Desk