On 21 February, International Mother Language Day, the nation collectively paid profound tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement. Commemorating the historic sacrifices made in the struggle for the recognition of the mother tongue, events were held across the country involving district administrations, members of parliament, law enforcement, freedom fighters, and local social and cultural organisations. Participants engaged in floral tributes, prayers, and cultural programmes to keep the memory of the martyrs alive. Below is a summary of key district-level observances.
District-Level Commemorative Programmes
| District | Chief Guest / Presence | Time & Venue | Main Activities | Other Participants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangail | State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku | 12:01 AM, Central Shaheed Minar | Floral tribute, remembrance songs | Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Freedom Fighters, Press Club, Municipal & Upazila officials |
| Sirajganj | Minister for Power Iqbal Hasan Mahmud | 12:01 AM, Shaheed Bedi | Floral tribute, commemorative speech | District Administration, Police, Freedom Fighters, Government & Private Institutions |
| Nangalkot | Upazila & Municipal Administration | Shaheed Minar | Floral tribute | Social, political, voluntary & cultural organisations |
| Magura | MP Monowar Hossain Khan | 12:01 AM, Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy College Campus | Floral tribute, remembrance ceremony | District Administration, Police, Civil Surgeon, General Public |
| Joypurhat | State Minister Abdul Bari | 12:01 AM, Shaheed Minar | Floral tribute | MP, District Administration, Police, Party Leaders |
| Mymensingh (Phulpur) | MP Mufti Muhammadullah | 12:01 AM, Upazila Parishad Courtyard | Floral tribute, prayer session | Upazila Executive Officer, Assistant Commissioner, Educational Institutions, Cultural Organisations |
In Tangail, State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku offered floral tributes at the Central Shaheed Minar under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque. Superintendent of Police Shamsul Alam also laid a wreath on behalf of the district police.
In Sirajganj, Minister for Power Iqbal Hasan Mahmud emphasised the inseparable link between the Language Movement and the Liberation War, stating, “Bangladesh was founded on the twin pillars of the Language Movement and the Liberation War. Preserving this history for future generations is of paramount importance.”
In Nangalkot, local administration, political figures, and cultural organisations collectively paid homage to the martyrs. In Magura and Joypurhat, members of the general public participated in laying flowers and attending remembrance ceremonies.
In Phulpur, Mymensingh, the Upazila administration and cultural groups organised a central programme that combined floral tributes with prayers for national peace and the forgiveness of martyrs. The event was coordinated by Upazila Academic Supervisor Paritosh Sutradhar.
These observances across all districts highlight the nation’s commitment to preserving the history and cultural heritage of the Language Movement. They serve as a reminder to younger generations of the value of language and independence, ensuring that the sacrifices of the martyrs remain etched in the national memory. Each district, through its unique traditions, reinforced the enduring respect for those who laid down their lives for the mother tongue.