Bangladesh on Friday observed Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day with due respect and solemnity, as people from all walks of life paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the recognition of Bangla as a state language.

From the first hour of February 21, people thronged Shaheed Minars across the country, placing floral wreaths and observing silence in memory of the language martyrs. 

Programmes were held in district towns, educational institutions and public spaces in a dignified and emotional atmosphere.

On February 21, 1952, students and activists were killed when police opened fire on demonstrators demanding Bangla as a state language. 

Among those martyred were Salam, Barkat, Rafiq and Jabbar. In recognition of their sacrifice, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in 1999.

Since then, the day has been observed worldwide to promote linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.

In Chattogram, the Shaheed Minar became a place of emotion and reverence as people of all ages began gathering from late night. 

After a ceremonial police salute, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain and others laid wreaths in a solemn atmosphere.

In Sylhet, large crowds gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in the Chauhatta area from midnight. 

Floral tributes began at 12:01am, with participation from different segments of society. 

Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Arifur Rahman Chowdhury, along with government officials, freedom fighters and leaders of political, social and cultural organisations, including BNP, paid homage to the language martyrs.

In Barishal, senior officials including the divisional commissioner, DIG, police commissioner and deputy commissioner placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar during the first hour of the day.

They were followed by leaders of the district Muktijoddha Sangsad and various political, social and cultural organisations. Teachers and students from different educational institutions also joined the observance.

In Chuadanga, programmes began at 12:01am with floral tributes at the district Central Shaheed Minar. 

The district administration, police, political parties, social and cultural organisations, educational institutions and members of the public paid homage. 

A one-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs.

In Khulna, tributes were paid from the first hour of Amar Ekushey at the Shaheed Minar. On behalf of freedom fighters, the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Khulna Metropolitan and District Command laid wreaths. 

Later, the divisional commissioner, Khulna City Corporation administrator, DIG, police commissioner, Deputy  Commissioner, superintendent of police, chairman of Khulna Development Authority, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps Sundarban Regiment, government offices, BNP and its associate bodies, including Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, as well as JSD, CPB and Bangladesh Workers Party, paid tributes.

The Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University, Prof Dr Rezaul Karim, paid homage at the university Shaheed Minar, followed by teachers, students and various academic disciplines and organisations during the first hour of the day.

At Jahangirnagar University, teachers, students and university authorities paid homage to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement with due respect.

The administration of Islamic University also paid tributes at its Central Shaheed Minar at the first hour of the day.

In Rangpur, public representatives, political parties and social and cultural organisations placed floral tributes at the Central Shaheed Minar during the first hour in a solemn atmosphere.

In Jhalakathi, the day was observed through various programmes, beginning with the laying of wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.

Similar observances were held in Joypurhat, where people paid tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar at Shaheed Dr Abul Kashem Maidan.

In Shariatpur, people from different walks of life laid wreaths at the town’s Central Shaheed Minar.

In Khagrachhari, the district administration and residents paid deep respect to the language martyrs at the Shaheed Minar during the early hours of February 21.

Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day were also observed in Mymensingh with due dignity, as people paid tribute to the language martyrs through floral offerings and commemorative programmes.

Across the country, the observance reflected deep respect for the historic Language Movement and renewed the collective commitment to uphold the dignity of the mother tongue and promote cultural diversity.