Language Martyrs' Day, Int'l Mother Language Day observed in districts 

People across Bangladesh observed Language Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day with solemnity and deep respect, as tributes poured in from all districts including Bagerhat, Bogura, Chandpur, Feni, Gazipur, Gopalganj, Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Khulna, Joypurhat, Meherpur, Rajbari, Narayanganj, Pirojpur, Rangamati, Sirajganj, and Tangail. 

From the first hours of the Day, government officials, political leaders, cultural activists and people from all walks of life gathered at Shaheed Minars to place wreaths, observe moments of silence and take part in discussions and cultural programmes, reaffirming their commitment to preserving the Bangla language and honouring the sacrifices of the 1952 language martyrs.

BAGERHAT: Profound tribute was paid to the language martyrs at the altar of the Bagerhat Central Shaheed Minar in the first hour of the Day.

At one minute past midnight, after observing one minute of silence in memory of the martyrs, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Golam Md Baten, placed the first wreath on behalf of the state, inaugurating the Day's programmes.

Subsequently, the Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Hasan Chowdhury, placed a wreath on behalf of the district police. Floral tributes were then paid by the District Muktijoddha Command, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jubo Dal, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Chhatra Union, Bagerhat Press Club, LGED, District Health Department, and Red Crescent Unit. 

Heads of various government and private departments, educational institutions, and representatives of social and cultural organisations also paid their respects at the Shaheed Minar.

Following a Provat Feri (mourning procession), discussions and other programmes were held in memory of the language martyrs.

BOGURA: The observance began at 12:01am at the Central Shaheed Minar. DC Taufiqur Rahman led the district administration in placing wreaths, followed by SP Shahadat Hossain on behalf of the police administration.

District BNP President Rezaur Karim Badsha, along with leaders and activists of affiliated organisations, also paid tribute. Members of the press club and various social and cultural bodies joined the ceremony.

From early morning, educational institutions, professional groups, and voluntary organisations arranged discussion meetings, drawing competitions for children, and cultural performances highlighting the history and significance of the Language Movement.

CHANDPUR: The district administration organised the main programme at the Central Shaheed Minar. Chandpur-3 MP Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, DC Mohammad Nazmul Islam Sarkar, and SP Rabiul Hasan were present to lay wreaths on behalf of their respective offices.

Officials from various government departments, political leaders, and members of civil society later placed floral tributes. Speakers at brief gatherings emphasised the need to protect linguistic diversity and ensure the proper use of Bangla in public and private spheres.

FENI: Tributes were paid at the first hour of the day at the Central Shaheed Minar. Feni-2 MP Zainal Abedin laid wreaths, followed by DC Monira Haque and SP Mohammad Shafiqul Islam.

Representatives of the health department, government and private offices, Feni Press Club, Feni Television Journalists Club, various political parties, educational institutions, NGOs, and socio-cultural organisations paid homage in phases.

As the morning progressed, people from different professions gathered at the Shaheed Bedi, offering flowers and observing moments of silence in memory of the martyrs.

GAZIPUR: Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) observed the Day with profound respect and heartfelt remembrance, honouring the valiant language martyrs whose sacrifice immortalised Bangla on the world stage.

The Day's programmes began at 7 am with the national flag flown at half-mast at the university's 36th July Square. Following this, teachers, students, officers, and staff wore black badges, symbolising a collective pledge to transform grief into strength. A Provat Feri led by Vice-Chancellor  (VC) Professor Dr GKM Mustafizur Rahman, marched across the campus and concluded at the Central Shaheed Minar, where floral tributes were placed in solemn remembrance.

In his address, the VC  described 21 February as an 'eternal source of inspiration and struggle'. He noted that Bangla remains the only language in history for which people laid down their lives, a sacrifice now globally recognised through International Mother Language Day.

GOPALGANJ: A large crowd gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in the municipal park. At 12:01am, Gopalganj-2 MP Dr KM Babar, DC Md Arif-uz-Zaman, and SP Md Habibullah placed wreaths.
In Tungipara, Gopalganj-3 MP SM Jilani also paid tribute at the local Shaheed Minar.
Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, District Council representatives, municipal authorities, Public Works officials, LGED representatives, and various social and cultural organisations followed with wreath-laying ceremonies. The Shaheed Minar premises filled with flowers as students, teachers, women, children, and elderly residents joined the observance.

Participants called for the effective implementation of Bangla at all levels of administration and education, underscoring the spirit of the Language Movement.

Later in the morning, a discussion and cultural programme was held at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium. Dr KM Babar attended it as the chief guest, while DC Md Arif-uz-Zaman presided over the event. SP Md Habibullah spoke as a special guest. Cultural performances were staged following the discussion.

KISHOREGANJ: From the early hours of the morning, people from all walks of life gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar at Gurudayal Government College in the town. 

MP Mazharul Islam, along with the district administration, SP, municipality administrator, government officials, teachers, and students, placed wreaths. Tributes were also paid by various organisations, including the Kishoreganj Press Club and the Girl Guides.

Earlier, the district administration organised a discussion meeting at the Collectorate Conference Hall to mark the Day. DC Mohammad Aslam Mollah presided over the meeting, while MP Mazharul Islam attended it as the chief guest. Following the discussion, prizes were distributed among the winners of a drawing competition held for students from various schools and colleges.

In addition to the official programmes, various cultural and social organisations across the district arranged their own events to commemorate the day.

JOYPURHAT: The observance began with wreath-laying at 12:01am at the Central Shaheed Minar. State Minister for Public Administration Abdul Bari paid tribute alongside the DC.

Joypurhat-1 MP and District Jamaat Ameer Fazlur Rahman Sayeed, DC Al Mamun Mia, SP Mina Mahmuda, BNP leaders Golzar Hossain and Masud Rana, among others, also placed wreaths.

Later, representatives of Muktijoddha Sangsad, BNP, Communist Party, BASAD, Chhatra Union, Socialist Student Front, Jamaat, Chatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Sramik Dal, and Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) paid homage. Educational institutions including Ramdeo Bazla Government High School and Government Girls' High School joined the programmes in the morning.

KHULNA: The main programme began at 12:01 am on February 21 with the placing of floral wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at Shaheed Hadis Park in Khulna.

People from all walks of life began placing wreaths at the Shaheed Minar at Shaheed Hadis Park in the city, marking the beginning of the observance of the Great Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day.
On behalf of the valiant freedom fighters, the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Khulna City and district command, paid homage by laying floral wreaths at the altar.

Subsequently, wreaths were placed by the Divisional Commissioner, Administrator of Khulna City Corporation (KCC), Range DIG, Police Commissioner, DC, SP, Chairman of Khulna Development Authority, leaders of Khulna City and District BNP, Khulna Press Club, City and District Jubo Dal, Chatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, JASAD, CPB, Bangladesh Workers Party, Khulna Unani Medical College Hospital and the Metropolitan Puja Udjapan Parishad, among others.

In the morning, various socio-cultural organisations and people from all strata of society joined pro-Vat ferry processions and paid tribute at the Shaheed Minar.

Discussions and prayer sessions seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of the language martyrs were arranged by different government and non-government organisations highlighting the significance of the day.
People from all walks of life, including government officials, socio-cultural organisations and educational institutions, paid homage to the language martyrs.

At sunrise, the national flag was kept at half-mast at all educational institutions and government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings in accordance with the Bangladesh Flag Rules, 1972.

HABIGANJ:  The Day began at 12:01am at the Central Shaheed Minar with wreath-laying ceremonies. Hobiganj-3 MP G.K. Gaus, DC Abu Hasnat Mohammad Arefin, and other officials of the district administration led the tributes. Following them, representatives of Habiganj Municipality, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Habiganj Medical College, District Muktijoddha Sangsad, local BNP leaders, and various political, social, and cultural organisations placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.

The Shaheed Minar premises were decorated with flowers as residents from all walks of life paid homage in silence, reflecting a solemn and mournful atmosphere. Throughout the day, discussion meetings, prayer gatherings, and cultural programmes were organised at different locations across the district.

MEHERPUR: At one minute past midnight, the tributes began with the DC Dr Syed Inamul Kabir, placing a wreath on behalf of the state. Following him, SP Ujjal Kumar Roy paid homage on behalf of the district police.

A procession of dignitaries then paid their respects including the VC of Meherpur University Dr Sheikh Bakhtiar Uddin; ADC Md Tariqul Islam; and Principal of Meherpur Government College Dr AKM Nazrul Kabir. Others who placed wreaths were Zilla Parishad Administrator Md Golam Zakaria, and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Khairul Islam.

Political parties also paid their tributes. District BNP President Javed Masud Milton and General Secretary Adv Kamrul Hasan led their party's delegation, while Political Secretary Ruhul Amin and Secretary Iqbal Hossain represented the District Jamaat. Subsequently, heads of various government departments, political parties, and private organisations laid wreaths on behalf of their respective institutions.

PIROJPUR: The district administration organised various programmes to mark the Day. State Minister for Housing and Public Works, Ahammed Sohel Monzoor MP, and Jamaat MP Masood Sayedee offered floral tributes at the Central Shaheed Minar in the town.

DC Abu Sayed, SP Mohammed Monjur Ahmed Siddique, and the VC of Pirojpur Science and Technology University  Professor Dr Shahidul Islam also paid their respects. Tributes were further offered by the District BNP and its frontal organisations, municipality, Lawyers' Association, Pirojpur Press Club, government officials, and BAPA.
On Saturday morning, Bangladesh Islami Chatra Andolan organised a holy Quran recitation programme at the altar of the Shaheed Minar.

Later, a discussion meeting on the significance of the Day was held by the district administration at the DC's conference room in the town. State Minister Ahammed Sohel Monzoor MP attended the programme as the chief guest, while Jamaat MP Masood Sayedee was present as the special guest. DC Abu Sayed presided over the meeting.

RAJBARI: The district administration inaugurated a three-day book fair on the Rajbari District School grounds as part of the Mother Language Day celebrations. The event was attended by officials, political leaders, social organisations, teachers, students, and residents, who also offered floral tributes at the Shaheed Minar adjacent to the Shahid Khushi Railway Field during the first hour of the day.

At 3 pm, the book fair was formally inaugurated by DC Sultana Akter. SP Mohammad Manjur Morshed, ADCs Tarif Ul Hasan and Shankar Chandra Baidya, Sadar UNO Anupama Roy, BNP leader Professor Manjur Alam Dulal, and District Teachers Association President Gazi Ahsan Habib were among the attendees. A discussion meeting and cultural programmes followed at the fairground.

NARAYANGANJ: Residents of Narayanganj observed the Day with due respect at the Central Shaheed Minar in Chashara. At 12:01am on February 21, DC Mohammad Raihan Kabir and SP Mizanur Rahman Munshi placed wreaths.
Representatives of political parties, business associations, social organisations, and both government and private institutions followed. The Shaheed Minar grounds saw a steady stream of people paying their respects throughout the night and into the morning.

RANGAMATI: Tributes were paid at the Central Shaheed Minar at the first hour of the day. DC Najma Ashrafi laid wreaths on behalf of the Ministry of Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs.

SP Muhammad Abdur Rakib, District Council Chairman Kajal Talukdar, representatives of the Chattogram Hill Tracts Development Board, political parties, and socio-cultural organisations followed. A large number of residents gathered, creating a solemn atmosphere at the memorial.

SIRAJGANJ: The Day's main programme was held at the Shilpakala Auditorium, organised by the district administration and presided over by DC Md Aminul Islam. 

The chief guest was Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ikbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, who said, "February 21 is the first step towards Bangladesh's independence. Our brave sons fought for the mother tongue because they knew that the fight for language was a fight for the existence of the Bengali nation. The movement of 1952 culminated in the 1971 Liberation War, establishing the foundation of independence. The new generation must always protect and prioritise their mother tongue. This is the lesson of Ekushey."

Earlier, at 12:01am, the first hour of Ekushey, Minister Ikbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, DC Aminul Islam, SP Saiful Islam Santu, Chamber President Saidur Rahman Bacchu, District Muktijoddha Sangsad unit, Sirajganj Press Club, political parties, government and non-government offices, and institutions offered floral tributes at the Mukti Sopaan Shaheed Minar in the town's Bazar Station area.

TANGAIL: The Day was observed with elaborate programmes. The observance began with wreath-laying at the Central Shaheed Minar by State Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, and Food Sultan Salauddin Tuku, along with DC Sharifa Haque.

Programmes included a dawn procession, hoisting of the national flag at half-mast, wearing of black badges, drawing and essay competitions, poetry recitation, discussions, and prize distribution ceremonies.
Government offices, political parties, social and cultural organisations, Tangail Print Media Association, and Tangail Press Club placed floral tributes in phases.

Students from various educational institutions joined the dawn procession, marching through the streets before assembling at the DC office for a discussion meeting. The meeting, presided over by DC Sharifa Haque, was addressed by SP Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarker, ADC Sanjoy Kumar Mohanta, Civil Surgeon Dr Farazi Md Mahbubul Alam Manju, District Council Chief Executive Officer Shamsunnahar Swapna, and LGED Executive Engineer Mohammad Kamruzzaman, among others.

Cultural organisations performed patriotic songs throughout the day. Alpana was painted on the streets and the Shaheed Minar premises. At Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, VC Prof Dr Md Anwarul Azim Akhand led wreath-laying at the campus Shaheed Minar. A minute of silence and special prayers were offered for the souls of the martyrs.