Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for collective action to uphold and protect the dignity of languages worldwide, as Bangladesh prepares to observe Great Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day on 21 February.
In a message issued on Friday, Tarique Rahman urged people and institutions to preserve linguistic diversity in Bangladesh, safeguard the country’s culture and heritage, and ensure the proper use and cultivation of Bangla. He extended greetings to linguistic communities worldwide, including Bangla speakers, and paid tribute to those killed in the 1952 Language Movement.
Tarique Rahman said the government remains committed to strengthening Bangladesh’s democratic journey and said the state must build a stable, secure and humane democratic system with accountable institutions and public authority as the central source of power. He said the government honours those who made sacrifices for democracy, including the language martyrs, the 1971 Liberation War participants and those involved in the 2024 mass uprising.
Referring to Ekushey February as a defining chapter in national history, the prime minister said Abul Barkat, Abdus Salam, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Jabbar and others were killed in 1952 while demanding recognition and respect for Bangla. He said the Language Movement established the right to the mother tongue and laid foundations for sovereignty rooted in a shared language, democratic aspirations and cultural identity.
He said the legacy of Ekushey contributed to the path towards independence through the 1971 Liberation War and the emergence of Bangladesh as a sovereign state. Tarique Rahman also referred to UNESCO’s recognition of the date as International Mother Language Day, saying the designation reflects Bangladesh’s historic sacrifices and the global value of protecting languages.
The prime minister said the core ideals of Ekushey include democratic values, protection of people’s rights and equality. He prayed for the eternal peace of the language martyrs and wished success for programmes marking Great Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day.
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