International Mother Language Day: A Lesson for the Younger Generations

Every year on February 21st, Bangladesh and the world celebrate International Mother Language Day, also known as Shohid Dibosh (Martyrs’ Day). This day was ignited by the bravery of ordinary students who fought for something extraordinary, their right to speak their own mother tongue. For Bangladesh, it’s more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a powerful symbol of identity, unity, and pride, all rooted in the Language Movement of 1952. It serves as a reminder to every generation, particularly today’s youth, to protect their language and culture, even in a world that is constantly evolving and modernizing.

The story of International Mother Language Day goes back to 1952, when people in what was then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) faced the threat of losing their mother tongue, Bangla. The central government in West Pakistan decided Urdu would be the only national language, even though most people in the east spoke Bangla. The people of East Pakistan were outraged, and protests erupted all over as people feared for their culture and identity. Such protests were banned, but on February 21^st, 1952, hundreds of students from the University of Dhaka and other institutions marched peacefully, demanding Bangla’s recognition alongside Urdu as the national language. That afternoon, the police opened fire on the protestors and killed students including Abdus Salam, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abul Barkat, Abdul Jabbar, and Shafiur Rahman. Their deaths shocked the nation but made the movement even stronger. The protests continued, and more lives were lost, but the demand never faded: Bangla had to be established as one of the national languages of Pakistan.

Finally, on February 29^th, 1956, Pakistan recognized Bangla as one of its national languages. After the Liberation War in 1971, Bangladesh became an independent country, and Bangla took its place as the official language. But the Language Movement was more than a fight for words; it was a fight for freedom and identity. It showed that language wasn’t just a way to communicate, but it plays a major role in being a part of who people are. Almost fifty years later, the world recognized the significance of this day when UNESCO proclaimed February 21^st to be the International Mother Language Day, and it was first observed globally on February 21^st, 2000. This decision was taken after a proposal first suggested by Mr. Rafiqul Islam, a Bangali Canadian living in Vancouver, Canada. He wrote a letter to the UN on January 9^th, 1998, asking to take a step in saving the world’s languages from extinction by declaring an International Mother Language Day. Mr. Islam posed the date 21^st of February to commemorate the 1952 killings in Dhaka. Today, people everywhere use this day to celebrate languages and push for their preservation.

As for the young Bangladeshis today, the spirit of 1952 carries a powerful message. Although Bangla is now the national language, the challenge has shifted. Instead of fighting for recognition, the young people must now work to protect and preserve it, especially at a time with technology. In school, on social media, and entertainment, English is often the primary language the youth is exposed to, which often leads to the blending on Bangla, causing the original rhythm and vocabulary of the language to diminish. On the brighter side, the younger generation of Bangladesh have the creativity and energy to keep the language alive and thriving. They can write blogs, songs, poems, and stories in Bangla. With the internet, they can use media as a way of sharing their culture with the world and take pride in speaking their mother tongue correctly and confidently. By doing so, Bangla stays alive and keeps growing, rooted in history but always moving forward.

Moreover, this commitment does not stop at Bangladesh. Thousands of languages around the world are disappearing every year. When a language disappears, a unique culture, history, and identity vanish with it. Through the remembrance of the sacrifices made in 1952, today’s youth can help protect languages and cultures around the world. They can stand up for the rights of all languages, join hands for education to be provided in mother tongues, and respect every culture and community.

The story of International Mother Language Day teaches us that language is more than mode of communication. It is a symbol of freedom, identity, and unity. The students of 1952 gave up their lives so future generations could speak their Mother Tongue freely. The least we can do is honour that legacy, not just by remembering, but by acting. By cherishing their mother tongue and respecting others, they continue the mission that began over seventy years ago.

Therefore, International Mother Language Day is not only a day for mourning but a day of pride. It reminds young people that every language is special because each one carries a story, a culture, and a sense of who we are. The events of 1952 still inspire today’s youth in Bangladesh and around the world to protect their languages, respect different cultures, and not let any language or voice get lost.