With the immortal memory of that blood-soaked February, February 21 has come around again. The state program for the Great Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day began at 12:01 AM on Friday, with the laying of a wreath at the central Shaheed Minar. The entire area was shrouded in silence before the clock struck 12, a hush that was broken by the arrival of the President and Prime Minister.
At the stroke of midnight, President Mohammed Shahabuddin arrived at the Central Shaheed Minar to the timeless melody of the Amar Ekushey song, “Amar Bhayyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February.” He laid a wreath in memory of the brave martyrs of the Language Movement. Immediately after, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid his respects at the base of the Shaheed Minar. After laying the wreaths, they stood in silence for a moment to pay their respects to the language martyrs.
They were welcomed at the Shaheed Minar premises by the Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Niyaz Ahmad Khan. Later, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman laid a wreath with members of the cabinet and subsequently as the Chairman of the BNP with members of the party’s standing committee. He was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Jaimia Rahman. After the wreath-laying ceremony, a special prayer was held for the departed souls of the Language Martyrs.
Following the state ceremony, the chiefs of the three services—Army Chief General Wakar-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan—laid their own wreaths.
A new realignment in politics was on display when opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman laid a wreath with newly elected members of parliament from the 11-party electoral alliance. Present at the time were top leaders of Jamaat and other leaders, including Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), and Akhtar Hossain, its member secretary.
Ambassadors and diplomats from various countries accredited to Bangladesh paid their respects, pledging to spread the dignity of the Bengali language abroad. Following this, the Election Commission, the Dhaka University Teachers’ Association, and various social and political organizations laid floral tributes at the martyrs’ memorial.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has put unprecedented security measures in place for this prestigious 21st event.
The entire area is under the surveillance of 64 CCTV cameras.
SWAT, the dog squad, and the bomb disposal unit are in charge of security.
For general citizens, entry routes have been designated via Palashi intersection and the Jagannath Hall crossing. Diversions have been set up at seven points, including Shahbagh, Nilkhet, and High Court, to ensure orderly traffic.
That street battle of ’52 is today a symbol of self-identity worldwide. This floral tribute to the Central Shaheed Minar is not just a formality, but a commitment to delivering the spirit of the 21st to the hearts of the new generation.