Prime Minister pays tribute to language martyrs

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid glowing tributes to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, observing Great Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day with due solemnity.

He placed a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar at 12:08am, arriving at the premises at 12:04am. As the immortal Ekushey anthem “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February… Ami Ki Bhulite Pari?” played, the premier slowly approached the altar to offer his respects.

After laying the wreath, Tarique Rahman—also chairman of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party—stood in silence for a while in honour of the Language Movement heroes.

Special prayers were offered seeking forgiveness for the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 anti-autocracy movement and the 2024 July Uprising. Prayers were also held for Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former three-time prime minister Khaleda Zia, along with wishes for the country’s welfare and the success of the government under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

Later, accompanied by cabinet members and BNP Standing Committee members, the prime minister placed two more wreaths at the Shaheed Minar on behalf of his cabinet and the party. He also laid another wreath with his family members.

Earlier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid tribute to the Language Movement martyrs by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at 12:01am.

Subsequently, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan also offered their respects.

Opposition leader and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, along with leaders of the 11-party alliance, paid homage by laying wreaths at the monument.

Ambassadors and high commissioners of various countries, the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners, senior government officials, as well as representatives from institutions including Dhaka University, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Police and other bodies, also paid tribute.

Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public. Hundreds of people from all walks of life walked barefoot with ফুল in hand, softly singing “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February,” in remembrance of the supreme sacrifices made by the language heroes in 1952.