Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, marking Great Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day.
He paid homage by placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital at 12:08am on Saturday.
The premier arrived at the Shaheed Minar premises at 12:04am. He proceeded slowly towards the altar as the historic immortal song of Amar Ekushey — “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February… Ami Ki Bhulite Pari?” — was played.
After placing the wreath, Tarique Rahman, also Chairman of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memories of the Language Movement heroes.
On the occasion, a special prayer was offered seeking forgiveness for the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 anti-autocracy movement and the 2024 July Uprising.
Special prayers were also offered seeking divine blessings for Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The prayer further sought the welfare of the country and success for the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Later, flanked by members of his Cabinet and the BNP Standing Committee, the premier placed two wreaths at the Shaheed Minar on behalf of his Cabinet and the party.
The Prime Minister also placed another wreath at the Shaheed Minar alongside his family members.
Earlier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past midnight.
Subsequently, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan paid homage to the Language Movement martyrs.
Opposition leader and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, along with leaders of the 11-party alliance, also paid tribute by laying wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Ambassadors and high commissioners of various countries, the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the acting Attorney General, representatives of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC), Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), University Grants Commission (UGC), Fire Service and Civil Defence, Dhaka University authorities, Bangladesh Police, Bangla Academy and the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), among others, also paid their respects.
Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public, when hundreds of people from all walks of life walked barefoot with flowers in their hands, humming “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February” to recall the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in 1952.
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