In the year 2000, UNESCO declared 21st February as International Mother Language Day. Since then this day has been observed every year to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. According to the UN site, "Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue".
We are here to tell you, "Why 21st February?" Why has this particular day been declared as the International Mother Language Day? Because, on this very day the brave sons of a tiny nation took bullets in their hearts to save their mother tongue from exile. I'm talking about Bangladesh and this was in 1952. Bangladesh was not even in existence then. It was the then East Pakistan, dominated by West Pakistan.
The situation became agitating when around 1950-52 the Central Pakistan Government was taking measures to establish Urdu as the only national language and ignoring all others. Urdu was then a language spoken only by the elite class of West Pakistan. However, as rich and exquisite the Urdu language is, no one could deny the value of language Bangla. It was the language of a vast majority in East Pakistan and well-rich with its own literature and history.
The people of East Pakistan demanded Bangla to be recognized as a national language also. Otherwise, they feared, the language would be excluded from the curriculum and the future generation would be deprived of the great literature and expressions of their very own mother tongue. After all, what better ways to express yourself other than in your mother tongue?
The university students, civil society of East Pakistan started a movement called Language Movement to save Bangla from estrangement. On 21st February 1952, the movement was at its height. The government declared curfew on the people and banned any protest against any issue. Well, people of East Pakistan were there to protect their language and they bravely marched forward to express their feelings. As the rally marched forward demanding Bangla to be declared as a national language with Urdu, the police opened fired. They opened fire on the people marching forward claiming a rightful claim. Salam, Barkat, Rafique, Jobbar....these are reverend names of the martyrs who died on that mournful day.
As the movement became more powerful after this awful incident, the Central Government of West Pakistan, finally gave in. Bangla was declared as a national language along with Urdu.
Bangladesh has come a long way since then. However, 21st February is still celebrated and remembered with respect and love. If you happen to have set foot on Bangladesh on 21st February, you'll see people wearing black and white dresses, black badges to mark the day. However, it is no longer a mournful day. It is celebrated by rendering flowers under a monument built on the very spot where the martyrs had shed their blood. Thousands of people march on bare foot towards the monument in the early hours of 21st February to pay their respect.
Do join in. After all, it is no longer about one language only. It is for all the native and mother languages ever spoken on the face of this earth.
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