On Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m., a solemn ceremony was held at the Central Shaheed Minar to honour the martyrs of the Language Movement and to emphasise the enduring significance of the 21st February ethos. Dr. Iftekhharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh, addressed the gathering, underscoring the inseparable link between the Language Movement’s ideals and the principles of justice, equality, and human rights.
Dr. Iftekhharuzzaman stressed that corruption and religious intolerance are fundamentally incompatible with the spirit of 21st February, which was central to the nation’s struggle for liberation. “The ethos of 21st February represents human rights, equality, and the pursuit of justice,” he declared. “It is our collective duty to ensure that every citizen of this country enjoys equal rights. Discrimination on the basis of religion, gender, ethnicity, language, or social status is wholly unacceptable. Those who deny women, religious or ethnic minorities, indigenous people, or persons with disabilities their rights are acting directly against the core ideals of 21st February, and such behaviour must be firmly rejected.”
Highlighting the vision of a truly inclusive Bangladesh, he added, “Our nation can only flourish when the spirit of 21st February is fully realised—where equal rights, social dignity, justice, and coexistence are guaranteed for all. Achieving this requires the elimination of corruption and inequality at every level of society.”
Dr. Iftekhharuzzaman gave particular attention to the protection of minority and marginalised communities, noting: “Until the social and economic rights of women, children, persons with disabilities, indigenous populations, and religious minorities are fully secured, the fundamental principles of 21st February cannot be truly realised.”
He also presented key social indicators reflecting Bangladesh’s progress and areas where inequalities persist:
| Indicator | Current Value | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Female Literacy Rate | 72% | Gender gap in education has narrowed but requires continued support |
| Child Unemployment | 3.5% | Further measures needed to combat child labour |
| Religious Minority Population | 9% | Protection of minority rights remains critical |
| Economic Participation of Marginalised Groups | 45% | Greater inclusion in development processes is necessary |
| Corruption Perception Index (TI-B) | 28/100 | Transparency improvements are urgently needed |
Concluding his address, Dr. Iftekhharuzzaman emphasised collective responsibility: “Raising awareness to prevent corruption and religious intolerance requires the combined efforts of government, civil society, and educational institutions. Without such collaboration, the spirit of 21st February cannot be fully implemented.”
He closed by reflecting on the broader vision: “We aspire to a Bangladesh where the values of freedom and equality resonate in the lives of every citizen and throughout every layer of society. This is the essence of 21st February—establishing justice alongside equality.”