Language movement is a historical part of Bangladesh. In 1947 India and Pakistan free from Great Britain. India and Pakistan took new place in the world map. Pakistan decided that Urdu will be their state language. But Pakistan had two part, One is East Pakistan (present Bangladesh) and other is West Pakistan (Present Pakistan). All the people of East Pakistan were Bengali speaking. Mother tongue is divine gift. But the West Pakistan wants to take away their mother tongue and declared Urdu will be their state language.
As a result the Bengali people step forward to protect their mother tongue. On 06th December 1947 East Pakistani students held a meeting on Dhaka University Campus demanding that Bangla will be made one of the state language of Pakistan. End of December 1947 the first Rastrabhasa Sangram Parishad (Language Action Committee) was formed. Professor Nurul Huq Bhuiyan of Tamaddun Majlish lead as the convener.
The Pakistan government imposed Section 144 in the Dhaka City for banning all activity. On 20February the Central Language Action Committee decided to violate Section 144 at 11.00 am on 21 February on Dhaka University Campus.
The Pakistani police fired tear gas shells on the students at Dhaka University Campus. The police were unable to control the students, they fired upon the students as well as the crowd. Abdul Jabbar, Abdul Barkat , Abdus Salam, Rafiq Uddin and many other people were killed on that day. A nine year old boy named Ohiullah was also killed. Many were injured and arrested. A memorial was created on 23 February 1952 on that place. In 1963, the temporary was replaced by a concrete memorial called the Shaheed Minar (martyrs’ memorial). On 16 February 1956 the movement achieved its goal by forcing the Pakistan Constituent Assembly in adopting both Bangla and Urdu as the state language of Pakistan.
Several newspaper published the incidence of that day.
On November 17, 1999, UNESCO declared 21 February as International Mother language.
