Ekush Foreve

The spirit of Ekushey February lives on in the hearts of Bangalees forever. On this day in 1952, Language Movement heroes laid down their lives to make Bangla a state language. This supreme sacrifice of theirs forced the Pakistani government into accepting the demand. It made the nation believe that it would be able to establish its rights and it eventually waged a decisive struggle against the Pakistani rulers in 1971 and freed itself. On this February 21, people from all walks of life thronged Shaheed Minars across the country, including the Central Shaheed Minar on the Dhaka University campus, to pay homage to those heroes. Bare-foot and adorned in black-and-white, they placed floral wreaths at the monuments and stood in silent remembrance of those who embraced the martyrdom.

Photo: Palash Khan