Showing respect to language martyrs

Each year on February 21st people from all walks of life show their respect to the language martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our mother tongue on February 21, 1952. Their sacrifice had helped us get Bangla as our national language. As a tribute to the martyrs, the Central Shaheed Minar was erected in the Dhaka University premises. People wearing shoes are not allowed to walk to the main altar of the Shaheed Minar, in respect to the martyrs. Most people leave their shoes near the stairs and walk to the main altar barefoot. But there are some who often break this rule.

This happens quite a lot with Shaheed Minars in other parts of Bangladesh. In my home town of Bhola, the Bhola Sadar Central Shaheed Minar is located beside the playground of Bhola Government High School. Everyday hundreds of people come here to visit and relax. Sometimes people sit on the edge of the altar. Some walk on it with shoes. Only on February 21st, they tend to take off their shoes in respect to the martyrs.

I would like to request the concerned authorities to post signs near all Shaheed Minars across the country. These signs should prohibit people from wearing shoes on the main altar, sitting at the main altar and/or dropping trash near it.

Md. Ariful Islam

Department of Sociology

University of Barishal

[email protected]