Today marks the 74th anniversary of the language movement. February 21, commonly known as Amar Ekushey, reflects the eternal spirit of a historical moment. It was on this day in 1952 at least eight people sacrificed their lives to secure Bangla as a state language in the then Pakistan. The movement began soon after Pakistan's emergence in 1947, continued for four years with various changes, and finally erupted on February 21, 1952 (Falgun 8 in 1358). Though the main demand of the movement was to recognise Bangla as a state language alongside Urdu, it gradually became a movement against discrimination and oppression, aiming to secure the legitimate rights of the people of East Bengal as citizens of newly created Pakistan. The ultimate outcome was the emergence of sovereign Bangladesh in 1971, at the cost of three million lives. It is critically important for all, especially younger generations, to see the language movement on a large canvas.
Several comprehensive books on the language movement are available. They offer detailed accounts, authoritative history, and broader context. Developed through in-depth research using sources like interviews with participants, newspapers, booklets, and documents, these works are helpful for studying the movement's history.
The first book is Purbo Banglar Bhasha Andolon O Thotkalin Rajniti (Language Movement in East Bengal & Contemporary Politics), written by Badruddin Umar. In this three-volume work, the left-oriented writer, researcher, and historian links the language movement with the struggles of farmers, workers, and the middle class in East Bengal. He explained that the movement was also a socio-economic and cultural one, with broad public participation. A brief English-language version titled Language Movement in East Bengal was published in 2001.
Umar strongly asserted that the language movement was not led by any political leader and also rejected the claim made by the Bangladesh Awami League that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played the leading role in shaping the movement in 1952. The story was widely spread during the authoritarian regime of Sheikh Hasina with the help of a number of loyal intellectuals. At one stage, it became almost impossible to challenge the false account, out of fear of backlash from Hasina loyalists. Umar, however, bothered little and dismissed all these false claims until the last day of his life. Mujib was among the many who were attached to the movement at different levels at different times, not throughout the movement years.
Bhasha Andoloner Itihas (History of the Language Movement) by Bashir Al-Helal is another key anthology. Published by Bangla Academy in 1985, the 700-page book begins with the Banga Vanga (the first partition of Bengal) in 1905. It covers political and cultural developments in later years and the end of British rule in 1947, with the emergence of India and Pakistan as two nations. East Bengal became the eastern wing of Pakistan, where the language movement took place. The book also details the Pakistani rulers' plan to replace Bangla alphabets with Arabic ones, which enraged Bengalis and ultimately failed.
Two language movement veterans, Abdul Matin and Ahmed Rafique, wrote Bhasha Andolon: Itihas O Tatparjaya (The Language Movement: History and Significance). First published in 1991, the book outlines the movement's key moments and historic significance. Although the writers were actively involved, they kept their emotions in check to present the history dispassionately. Abdul Matin is known as Bhasah Matin for his persistent leadership. He was one of the few students who dared say 'No' when Mohammad Ali Jinnah, in his speech at Curzon Hall in Dhaka University in 1948, said that only Urdu would be the state language of Pakistan.
Bengali Language Movement and Creation of Bangladesh by Anwar Dil and Afia Dil is thought to be a comprehensive English book on the movement's history. First published in Lahore in 1999, it covers the historical background of East Bengal from ancient times. It also discusses how the language movement became a major catalyst for the freedom struggle and led to the emergence of independent Bangladesh in 1971.
There are other noteworthy books as well. As the country observes the day, which is also International Mother Language Day, it is critical to study history through books. For the new generation, it is important to examine these books and other documents and shed new light on the history of the language movement.
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