Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement early Saturday by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar marking ‘Amar Ekushey’—the International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Dibosh.

The Prime Minister arrived at the Shaheed Minar at 12:04am and placed a wreath around 12:07am.

He stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the language heroes.

A munajat was offered praying for the salvation of the departed souls of the language martyrs and those who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War and various democratic movements.

Later, the Prime Minister, along with cabinet members and his advisers, also placed a wreath at the altar of the Shaheed Minar, paying homage to the language martyrs on behalf of the BNP and the government.

On behalf of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former party chairperson Khaleda Zia, Tarique, along with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, also paid tributes to the language heroes by placing a wreath.

Ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, members of parliament, the chiefs of the three services, senior BNP leaders, opposition leaders, freedom fighters, foreign diplomats and high civil and military officials also paid tributes afterwards.

Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public. Hundreds of people from all walks of life paid tribute with flowers at the memorial.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan and other university officials welcomed the Prime Minister upon his arrival at the Central Shaheed Minar.

Earlier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid homage to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar, marking the day.

Earlier in a message, the Prime Minister said democratic values, people’s rights and equality were the core spirit of Ekushey, adding that the government is committed to consolidating the country’s democratic progress.

He also called for collective efforts to uphold and protect the dignity of languages worldwide.

President Shahabuddin pays tribute to Language Movement martyrs at Shaheed Minar

“The establishment of democratic values, people’s rights and equality was the core spirit of Ekushey. Upholding this spirit, democracy has now been restored in the country after a long struggle. The present government is committed to consolidating this democratic progress,” the Prime Minister said.

On the occasion of Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day, he extended sincere greetings and congratulations to people of all languages and ethnic groups across the world, including speakers of Bangla.

The Prime Minister paid deep tribute to all martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement whose sacrifices established the dignity of Bangla as a mother language.

The nation is observing 'Amar Ekushey', the Language Martyrs' Day and the International Mother Language Day on Saturday, marking the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of mother tongue Bangla.

The day is also being observed around the world as UNESCO recognised Ekushey February as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.

Walking barefoot to Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar with wreaths and flowers singing 'Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano Ekushey February', people from all walks of life will pay their respects to the heroes of the Language Movement who sacrificed their lives to achieve recognition of Bangla as the state language of erstwhile Pakistan.

On February 21, 1952, students and common people in Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then Pakistani government's denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan.

Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and a few other brave sons of the soil were killed in police firing on this day in 1952 when students came out in a procession from the Dhaka University campus breaching Section 144 to press their demand for recognition of Bangla as a state language of then Pakistan.

The day is a public holiday.