21 February and the politics of remembrance: Preserving Bangladesh’s language legacy | World News

Few events have shaped Bangladesh’s identity as profoundly as the 1952 Language Movement. What started as student protests over language policy turned into a decisive struggle over dignity and self-expression. Young people, mostly teenagers, stood before armed police to demand that Bengali, the language spoken by the majority, be recognized as the state language. Some never returned home.

Bangladesh commemorates his sacrifice on February 21 every year. The day, now celebrated around the world as International Mother Language Day, is not only a tribute to those who died, but also a reminder of how language has become the basis of national consciousness. The movement’s legacy flowed directly into the broader political awakening that culminated in independence in 1971.

But more than seventy years later, a debate has resurfaced about how this history is taught.

A Movement Born of Exclusion

When British India was partitioned in 1947, East Pakistan was governed from West Pakistan. Although Bengalis made up the majority of the population, Urdu was declared the sole national language, and for many in the eastern flank, this decision symbolized marginalization that extended beyond language into politics, culture, and opportunity.

University students in Dhaka became the heart of the resistance. On 21 February 1952, they marched to demand recognition of Bengali, defying the government’s ban on public gatherings. Police opened fire on unarmed protesters. Many were killed and hundreds were arrested.

The shock of that day changed public sentiment. Names like Salam, Barkat and Rafiq are etched in the country’s collective memory. Within a few years, the language issue reshaped electoral politics and in 1956, Bengali was given state language status alongside Urdu.

The events of 1952 stand out worldwide as a rare example of lives being lost solely for the sake of defending the mother tongue.

From National Tragedy to Global Observation

Decades later, Bangladesh brought the story of February 21 to the world stage. In 1999, UNESCO recognized this date as International Mother Language Day, and it has been celebrated in almost every country since 2000. The aim is to preserve linguistic diversity in a world where many languages ​​are disappearing.

At Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, people gather every year, often barefoot, to lay flowers in his memory. The ritual is serious, emotional and deeply tied to national tradition.

But the incident has also inspired discussions outside Bangladesh about how to protect endangered languages. The fact that UNESCO reports that thousands of languages ​​are still in danger strengthens the message of February 21 every year.

Bridge to Independence

The language movement was more than recognition of Bengali as an official language; It created political awareness in East Pakistan. The language movement led to the Six Point Movement in the 1960s.

The Awami League, under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, swept the 1970 elections in East Pakistan. Denied political power, the situation worsened until the 1971 War of Liberation, which resulted in the deaths of millions of people and eventually led to the creation of Bangladesh.

The declaration of Bengali as the sole national language in the Constitution after independence marked the victory of the struggle that began almost two decades ago.

The cultural influence was no less important. Literature, music, and folk culture flourished and helped create an identity based on language.

Textbook Revisions and Public Debate

However, political events in recent years have reignited debates about how this history is taught in schools. After Sheikh Hasina’s departure in August 2024 due to protests by students, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus began making changes to textbooks in schools through the National Curriculum and Textbooks Board.
The changes included the removal of some honorifics about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, shorter quotes from his speech on March 7, 1971, and less coverage of the 1952 movement. However, there was also more room for alternative political figures and approaches to the independence period.

Supporters of the changes believe the goal is to have a more balanced and fact-based narrative. Opponents believe the changes are an attempt to manipulate collective memory. Protests began and more controversy arose over national commemorations.

There are also signs of a generational gap. Surveys conducted in 2025 showed that a significant number of young people did not understand the events of 1952 in detail. Reports of declining numbers of visitors to memorial sites have further raised concerns about declining interest.

A Living Language, A Living Discussion

Despite all the controversies and political tensions, Bengali remains one of the most spoken languages ​​in the world. It is carried by the voices of hundreds of millions of people, and events like the annual Ekushey Book Fair still draw large crowds and everyone celebrates the language with pride. It’s a reminder that Bengali has not faded. It is alive in daily life.

Now, with Tarique Rahman taking office in February 2026, many are closely watching how history will be taught in the coming years. His party has talked about presenting a more inclusive national story. But it is still unclear how this promise will shape school textbooks.

For countless Bangladeshis, this conversation is not just about politics. It touches on something deeper: the memory of the young people who gave their lives in 1952 so that their native language could be respected. Martyrs are commemorated not just as names in books, but as symbols of the right to speak in one’s own language, to learn and to dream.

That’s why February 21st still carries such emotional weight. It reminds the nation that language is not just about words. Belonging is history and identity, and keeping this memory alive ensures that the sacrifices of 1952 remain part of the country’s common story and are honored with integrity and care.