Bangla language, sacrifice for its recognition and International Mother Language Day

Bangla is the state language of Bangladesh - more than 155 million people of Bangladesh speak this language.  It is the mother tongue of almost all people of Bangladeshi origin.  Although Bangla is one of the 23 official languages recognised by the Republic of India, it is the official language of the states of Paschimbanga and Tripura.  It is also a major language in the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Bangla is  the co-official language of Assam, which has three predominantly Sylheti-speaking districts -- Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi.  Bangla is a second official language of the Indian State of Jharkhand from September 2011.  It is also a recognised secondary language in the city of Karachi in Pakistan.  In December 2002, Sierra Leone's President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah also named Bangla as one of the official languages of Sierra Leone in recognition of the work of more than 5,300 troops from Bangladesh in the United Nations (UN) Mission in Sierra Leone peacekeeping force.  The national anthems of both India and Bangladesh were written in Bangla by Rabindranath Tagore.  Another giant of Bangla literature, Kazi Nazrul Islam, is the national poet of Bangladesh.  In 2009, elected representatives in both Bangladesh and Paschimbanga called for Bangla to be made an official language of the UN.
There may be some countries or nations who have campaigned or demanded for recognition of their languages, but Bangla is the only language for which people made the highest sacrifice by giving their lives on  February 21, 1952. The day of that utmost sacrifice was declared as the 'International Mother Language Day' by the UN on November 17, 1999 throughout the world to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.  International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000.  As a Bengali as well as a Bangladeshi, I remember those with utmost respect who had sacrificed their lives for the Bangla language to be recognised.  My thoughts and prayer are for those martyrs.  May the Almighty  accept their sacrifice and grant them jannatul ferdous - the highest place in jannat.  I also thank those who had contributed and suffered in the historical language movement since 1948 for Bangla to be officially recognised.    
THREE LANGUAGES ARE IMPORTANT TO US: BENGALI, ENGLISH AND ARABIC: In my view, people of Bangladeshi origin must learn three languages side by side: Bengali, English and Arabic. They must learn Bangla because it is their mother tongue and state language.  And it is for this language utmost sacrifice in an unprecedented nature was made.  With about 220 million natives and about 250 million speakers, Bengali is one of the most spoken languages, ranked seventh in the world.  In order to learn other languages, one must be good at his own native language.  One who is competent in his own langue can easily pick up other languages.  In other words, mother tongue is a gateway to other languages.
Alongside Bangla, English must be learned because it is the only international language in which one can communicate anywhere in the globe. Truly, the English is the most important language in the world. It is the mother tongue and the first language of some of the most powerful and developed countries of the world.  After Bangla, English is a highly desirable language in Bangladesh.  In many countries of the world, English is the second or third official language.  Hardly any country can be found on earth where English is not spoken or written or at least understood.  English is given importance [often given over importance too] in non-English speaking countries. Even in those countries, their native contenders who are fluent or competent in English are given priority in the competitive job markets.  Almost all international bodies, agencies, institutions and organisations consider the fluency and competency in English language as one of the compulsory or mandatory requirements for recruitment or appointment of their staff.  English calendar is followed in international trade and business and by almost all countries of the world.  
In Bangladesh, English is widely spoken, written and used.  Students studying at English medium schools or students studying at public schools but good at English have, statistically, been doing better in their subsequent profession, job and career.  Generally, a student or job applicant who has good command of English is considered as smart, skilled and competent.  Thus, apart from linguistic value and international dimension, English has a distinct economic value too.  Thus, former British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Chowdhury rightly said once, "English is not only a language, but it is an essential commodity too."
Besides Bangla and English, Arabic must also be learned.  At least 85 per cent of the population in Bangladesh are Muslims. The holy book of Islam, the Quran, was revealed in Arabic. Other important religious texts including the major/authentic hadith books and original 'tafseers' are written in Arabic.  In order to understand the religion of Islam properly, knowledge of the Arabic language is essential.  
Apart from the religious perspective, there are economic and business benefits as well in learning Arabic.  There is a huge market and employment prospect in the Middle East and some countries in Africa where native/state language is Arabic.  Arabic is one of the current official languages of the UN.  Therefore, knowledge of Arabic, regardless of religion, would be an invaluable communicative asset for exploring the huge market and derive  maximum benefit from it.
OUR CHILDREN IN THE UK CAN EASILY LEARN FOUR LANGUAGES: Our children living in the United Kingdom can easily learn four languages: English, Bangla, Arabic and one modern language.  The medium of our children's teaching and learning in the UK is English.  Therefore, the parents do not need to do anything extra for the children to learn the language.  They will automatically and naturally learn and be competent in English language and literature.  Alongside the English language, all pupils in the schools are required to learn a modern language-- either French or German or Spanish or any other suitable language.  It is a part of their national curriculum.  With the efforts of school and little effort of the parents, our children can learn one of the modern languages.  The first or at least second language of almost all of our children is Bangla.  The mother tongue of most of them is Bangla.  Bangla is widely spoken at home and the community they live in.  With proper support and care, our children can easily learn Bangla.  Almost 90 per cent or above of the British-Bangladeshi origin in the UK are Muslims.  To all Muslims, Arabic has a distinct value and importance. With extra care and support, our children can easily learn the Arabic language.  Learning more languages is like acquiring new skills.  Those who are competent in their own language, be it Bangla or English or any other, can easily grasp other languages.  With proper support, guidance and care, our children can be multi-lingual - skilled in four languages!  This is a unique opportunity for our children which should not be taken or considered lightly.    
CAN BANGLA BE FULLY INTRODUCED IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BANGLADESH? Although Bangla is our mother tongue and state language of Bangladesh, the language of the Apex Court of Bangladesh is, however, English.  Thus, many people demand that Bangla be fully introduced in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.  As mentioned at the beginning of this article, we are the only nation on earth who sacrificed lives for upholding the dignity of our mother tongue to its rightful place.  This is probably why when the month of February comes, we become emotional and there is, no doubt, a logic for being so.  But when people demand the introduction of Bangla in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, they genuinely need to consider the wider importance and international implications. When late Dr M Zahir, an eminent jurist and country's leading company law expert, visited London few years ago, I discussed and drew some issues to his attention. One of them was the possibility of introducing Bangla at the Supreme Court.  He straightaway replied, "Nazir, look, three things you cannot do in Bangla: Namaj (prayer) cannot be done in Bangla, Company law cannot be done in Bangla and Supreme Court proceedings cannot be done in Bangla." There is a strong logic for this assertion.  One of those is perhaps because Supreme Court judgements of a country are often referred to throughout the world.  For example, House of Lords' judgments and the judgments of the Indian Supreme Court are frequently referred to in the proceedings and hearings of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.  Likewise, in order for the judgments of our Apex Court to be referred to the proceedings of the Apex Court in other countries, the judgments need to be made in a way so that these are accessible to others.  If judgement is written in Bangla, can it be accessible?
HOW COULD BANGLA BE AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UN? Six languages are currently official languages of the UN.  These are: English, French, Arabic, Russian, Chinese and Spanish.  A proposal has been made to include Bangla as one of the official languages of the UN.  Besides Bangla, Esparento, Hindi, Portuguese and Turkish have also been proposed.  There have been some campaigns, albeit on a very limited scale, for recognising Bangla as one of the UN official languages.  
Mere wish, desire or limited campaigns would not bring any fruitful result.  In order for Bangla to be recognised by the UN, the nation/country and its value and importance would have to be upheld and uplifted too.  Our image would have to be positive throughout the world.  Presence of a proper democracy in the country, records of upholding human rights and rule of law, least dependence on foreign aid, excellent cordial relationship with major/powerful countries/nations, competent diplomacy are all relevant key factors in order to push a vigorous demand for recognition of Bangla at the highest international body like the UN.  If anyone compares and assesses our country with the barometer of the above components, he can easily ascertain where our country is at the moment.  Empty rhetoric or emotional outcry is one thing, and marching ahead with a solid demand backed by appreciable records and tangible/concrete evidence is a completely different thing.  The latter is the most important thing needed for our country.  The soon our authorities realise this, the better it is for our country.
Barrister Nazir Ahmed is legal expert, analyst, writer and columnist.                          ahmedlaw2002@yaho.co.uk