21 February 2024 International mother language day

 February 21 is celebrated as International Mother Language Day, and it holds great significance for the people of Bangladesh. On this day in 1952, students in Dhaka protested against the imposition of Urdu as the sole official language of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) by the Pakistani government. The movement aimed to protect the Bengali language, which was a crucial part of the cultural identity of the Bengali-speaking population.

The protest turned tragic when the Pakistani police opened fire on the peaceful demonstrators, leading to the deaths of several students. This event eventually paved the way for the recognition of Bengali as one of the official languages of Pakistan, and later, the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation in 1971.

Celebrating February 21 is a way for the people of Bangladesh to honor the sacrifices made for their language and cultural identity. It symbolizes the importance of linguistic diversity and the right to speak one's mother tongue, reflecting the broader significance of preserving cultural heritage and identity.