DU set to observe Amar Ekushey
Dhaka University (DU) completed all preparations to pay tribute to language martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the mother tongue, Bangla, 59 years ago on February 21.
Addressing a press briefing at Senate Bhaban yesterday morning, DU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique said as in previous years, DU has taken all sorts of preparations to observe Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day.
“As Cricket World Cup is going on and Bangladesh is the co-host of this event, the government has taken special steps to ensure foolproof security,” he said.
He mentioned that there have been some changes this year to celebrate Amar Ekushey, a momentous day for the Bangalees.
He said apart from police and Rapid Action Battalion, 700 members from Ramna Regiment Cadet, rover scouts and rangers would be deployed to maintain security and discipline in and around Central Shaheed Minar.
From 10:00am today to 2:00pm on Monday, vehicles would not be allowed to ply from Doel Chattar to Shib Bari roundabout and the road on the eastern side of Jagannath Hall. The university area and Central Shaheed Minar will be under multiple security cordons from 7:00pm today, he said.
“That is why only the security pass holders will be allowed to enter Shaheed Minar premises through Curzon Hall,” the DU VC said.
Only cars with Amar Ekushey stickers will be allowed to park in the DU central playground through Doel Chattar. President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be the first to lay wreaths at Central Shaheed Minar, paying homage to the language martyrs.
They will be followed by the speaker, leader of the opposition in parliament, ministers, prime minister's advisers, deputy speaker, state ministers, Dhaka city mayor, chief whip of parliament, ruling Awami League leaders, chiefs of the three staffs, dean of the diplomatic corps, and others.
Later, members of various political, socio-cultural and professional bodies and general people will be allowed to pay their respect to the language martyrs.
On February 21 in 1952, Salam, Barkat, Rafique, Jabbar and some other brave hearts laid down their lives for the recognition of Bangla as an official language.
The language movement was the forerunner of the nationalistic movement that culminated in the War of Liberation in 1971 and won the nation its independence.
In 2000, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation declared 21st February as International Mother Language Day.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments