The Language Movement of 1952 was the first organized expression of the consciousness of the exploited and deprived masses of Bangladesh. Here I am concerned with the far-reaching impacts of the language movement that reached its climax on 21st February, 1952. 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The Language Movement inspired similar discontent in West Pakistan and provided momentum to ethnic nationalist parties .The political unrest in East Pakistan and rivalry between the central government and the United Front-led provincial government was one of the main factors culminating in the 1958 military coup by Ayub Khan. The Language Movement began the intense alienation of the Bengalees and finally led to the Liberation War in 1971. As a result, Salam, Barkat, Refique Jabbar and others fell down dead and became martyrs. Bengali Language Movement and Creation of Bangladesh is a monumental work of 776 pages by Dr. Anwar Dil and his wife Dr. Afia Dil. The 21st February is a land-mark day in the history of Bangladesh, a day that we celebrate every year with fondest love and reverence to the language martyrs who took active part in the language movement for our right to mother tongue and establish its dignity and honour foiling all attempts of cultural aggression by our number one enemy, the Pakistani military junta. Our perception became clear like broad daylight as Rudyard Kipling said, that the east is east and the west is west and the twin shall never meet. Our language movement is … Then started another chapter of our history; the War of Liberation began and continued for nine months without any break until the enemies and their accomplices surrendered to our brave Freedom Fighters and the Allied Forces of the mighty Indian Army on 16, December 1971. The perception of 21st February imbued us with the spirit of nationalism, great love for language, and culture and freedom. The perception of 21st February has greatly influenced our national sentiment in the sense that we became aware that we are a separate nation with our own language, culture, civilization and identity which are quite distinct from those of the Pakistanis who exploited us in the name of religion without having any territorial integrity and good will. In view of these circumstances, Bangabandhu delivered his historic 7th March speech which culminated in the declaration the independence of Bangladesh. Henceforth, there was much upsurge and frequent movements against the military regime of President Ayub Khan. Such recognition would allow Bengali to be used in government affairs. The UNESCO in November … Contextually his six-point involvement got momentum as everybody in the country was impatient with the policy of discrimination adopted by the central government of Pakistan. By the perception of this epoch-making day, we have made it known to the world that we are a free nation and know how to struggle for the liberation of our country and maintain the sanctity of our mother tongue. The historic Bangla language movement of the mid-twentieth century is an inspirational part of Bangladeshi heritage. The perception of 21st February has greatly influenced our national sentiment in the sense that we became aware that we are a separate nation with our own language, culture, civilization and identity which are quite distinct from those of the Pakistanis who exploited us in the name of religion without having any territorial integrity and good will. The Evolution of Bangla. So for all the events stated above, we can safely conclude that the emergence of Bangladesh is largely due to the perception of 21st February, an unforgettable day with its immortal song: “Amar bhaier roktey rangano Ekushey February/ Ami ki bhulitey pari” that we have enshrined in our memory with profound love and respect for the martyrs of our language movement. Now, it should be borne in an mind that behind our bold stand against all challenges threatening our nation like oppression, exploitation and occupation by the enemies, the consciousness of 21st February helped us realize our pride and glory and awoke as a rising nation under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who gave us the clarion call to shake off the yoke of foreign domination and subjugation. The Great Language Movement and the Emergence of Bangladesh Abstract The great language movement was more than a language movement which began in 1948 and reached its climax in the killing of 21st February 1952. The writer is a resource person and former Principal Govt. Here I am concerned with the far-reaching impacts of the language movement that reached its climax on 21st February, 1952. Editor : Enamul Hoque Chowdhury Published by Maynal Hossain Chowdhury on behalf of East West Media Group Limited, Plot No: 371/A, Block No: D, Bashundhara R/A, Baridhara, Dhaka -1229 and Printed at Plot No: C/52, Block-K, Bashundhara, Khilkhet, Badda, Dhaka. . It has been suggested that the freedom struggle of Bangladesh originated from the Bengali language movement. This great sacrifice for the cause of their language has immortalized them in our national history where their names are written in letters of gold. 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The Bengali Language Movement (Bengali : ভাষা আন্দোলনBhasha Andolôn) was a political movement in former East Bengal (renamed East Pakistan in 1956 and Bangladesh in 1971) advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of the then- Dominion of Pakistan in order to allow its use in government affairs, the continuation of its use as a medium of education, its use in media, currency and stamps… Later, in memory of the deaths in 1952, UNESCO declared 21 February as International Mother Language Day in November 1999. Advertisement Phone: 8432046 Emergence of Bangladesh: Our valour and Bangabandhu’s diplomacy. The passion of Bengali nationalism which was aroused by the Language Movement shall kindle in the hearts of the Bengalis forever … Its direct ancestor is a form of Prakrit or Middle Indo-Aryan which descended from Sanskrit or Old Indo-Aryan. 114 11.3 Central Martyrs’ Memorial or Shohid Minar, Dhaka. By March 15, for all practical purposes, a functioning de facto administration was projected to the world through a large contingent of the international press who were present to cover what appeared to all as the emergence of a new state in Bangladesh. Their dedication has ennobled them because it was selflessly done for the interest of the nation. In line with this, when AL won a landslide victory in the parliamentary election in 1970 as the largest party, it was not allowed to form government with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Prime Minister due to the conspiracy of general Yahya Khan and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. So for all the events stated above, we can safely conclude that the emergence of Bangladesh is largely due to the perception of 21st February, an unforgettable day with its immortal song: “Amar bhaier roktey rangano Ekushey February/ Ami ki bhulitey pari” that we have enshrined in our memory with profound love and respect for the martyrs of our language movement. This book is a brief but very well written history of Bangladesh. Bangla belongs to the easternmost branch, called Aryan or Indo-Iranian, of the Indo-European family of languages. The Bengali Language Movement, also known as the Language Movement (Bengali: ভাষা আন্দোলন; Bhasha Andolon), was a political effort in Bangladesh (then known as East Pakistan), advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of Pakistan. By the perception of this epoch-making day, we have made it known to the world that we are a free nation and know how to struggle for the liberation of our country and maintain the sanctity of our mother tongue. In continuation of this aggressive policy, Mr. Jinnah, their Governor General of Pakistan, the proponent of the absurd and obsolete Two Nations Theory came to East Pakistan (Bangladesh) and irresponsibly declared Urdu to be the state language of the then Pakistan without caring much for the democratic and freedom loving minds of the people of our land. If we think intellectually, we come to see that the subsequent series of events that developed as its backdrop is very significant for the creation of Bangladesh. There was panic and influx of refugees from this country to India. Thus the “worst genocide” of the history of world began in Bangladesh. Bhasha Andolon (1947 - 1952)The question as to what would be the state language of Pakistan was raised immediately after its creation. PABX- 09612120000, 8432361-3 FAX-88-02-8432094 the voice of people is the voice of God. Our countrymen took it as a great blow to our prestige as they denied showing respect to the general mandate of the people. The brutal action and colonial master- like attitude of the Pakistani rulers made us believe that they were not our friends but masters. Photo by Rafiqul Islam, published in C.M. The question as to what would be the state language of Pakistan was raised immediately after its creation. Then started another chapter of our history; the War of Liberation began and continued for nine months without any break until the enemies and their accomplices surrendered to our brave Freedom Fighters and the Allied Forces of the mighty Indian Army on 16, December 1971. At that time, the stage was set and the moment was psychological for the advent of a great leader. Due to the British colonization of the country, English is still a widely spoken and commonly understood language in Bangladesh. The Language Movement is a historical landmark across the world. In the eastern wing, the people lost their faith in the government which gradually became very unpopular. The Language Movement of 1952, in which the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) resisted West Pakistan's (now Pakistan) imposition of Urdu as the sole national language, marks a milestone in the history of Bangladesh and had triggered the pro-liberation movement which culminated in the Liberation War of 1971. This universal recognition has brought great glory for us in the estimation of the world community. Why Bangladeshi intellectual hate Pakistan to the core? Before the commencement of the Bengali Language Implementation Act, 1987, English had a considerable presence in official affairs, but since 1987 the usage of English has waned significantly in government. 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Advertisement Phone: 8432046 Teachers’ Training College, Cumilla. However, no sooner had he (Jinnah) declared his statement in favour of Urdu, Dhaka the political and cultural home of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) witnessed huge protest with shouting slogans and procession after procession in every nock and corner. Right to speak in mother tongue and to use it as official language has been recognized by the United Nations Organization since its foundation comprising of different nations either big or small. and Those Lengthening Cemeteries, Tourism Entrepreneurship: A Potential Venture, Depopulation through forced vaccination: The Zero Carbon solution, Language: Of Onion and Onions, Of Touchy and Touching, 200 Years of Vidyasagar’s Birth and Female Education, University Entry Test during New Normal Life, Economic disparity at the core of his political campaign, Bangabandhu’s Interaction with World Leaders, PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz Sharif says Imran Khan PTI cannot save govt with early Senate elections, India in touch with China over two stranded ships in Chinese waters: MEA, Sochi hosts the NEXT 75 international youth conference, Bangabandhu T20 Cup is more interesting than BPL, Facebook page 'Moitry' telecasts Bangladesh Liberation War-based movie 'Children of War', India-Nepal ties tall as Himalayas: CDS Rawat. Ekushe February, or the 21st of February, isn’t just any other date for someone whose mother tongue is Bangla, or Bengali — whether in Bangladesh or in West Bengal. Published by Maynal Hossain Chowdhury on behalf of East West Media Group Limited, Plot No: 371/A, Block No: D, Bashundhara R/A, Baridhara, Dhaka -1229 and Printed at Plot No: C/52, Block-K, Bashundhara, Khilkhet, Badda, Dhaka. Editor : Enamul Hoque Chowdhury By this authoritarian declaration he sowed the seed of the first conflict or he orchestrated the stage of the Second Divide after the Great Divide of the subcontinent by the British as India and Pakistan. “The Language Movement added a new dimension to politics in Pakistan. Significance of the Language Movement Presented by Sudeb Das (2014-2-55-023) Shahjadi sultana (2015-1-39-026) Jannatul Mawa (2015-1-39-049) Eity Sarker (2015-1-39-033) Umma Ima (2015-1 … 115 11.4 The Bangladesh Parliament, originally conceived as Moreover, celebrating 21st February we enhance the dignity of our mother language worldwide and as such the UNESCO has already declared 21st February as an International Mother Language Day. In view of these circumstances, Bangabandhu delivered his historic 7th March speech which culminated in the declaration the independence of Bangladesh. defence of the Bengali language, February 1952. It left deep impression on the minds of the younger generation of Bengalis and imbued them with the spirit of Bengali nationalism. This consciousness born out of the Language Movement inspired all the subsequent Movements and helped achieving the political, the cultural and the economic freedom leading to independence. The movement reached its climax in 1952, when on 21 February, the police fired on protesting students and civilians, causing several deaths. The Bengali Language Movement, also known as the Language Movement Bhasha Andolon, was a political effort in Bangladesh (then known as East Pakistan), advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of Pakistan. If we look back in the pages of history, we can have enough records to find that the state of Pakistan came into being on the consensus of brotherly and peaceful co-existence on mutual trust. Tarek Reza, Ekush: A Photographic History of the Language Movement (1947–1956) (Dhaka: Standard Chartered Bank, 2004). Just after partition in 1947, the newly created state of Pakistan tried to impose Urdu as the official language of that state. 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