Bangladesh Language Movement History

Language Movement in East Pakistan

• The Dhaka University Language Action Committee was formed on March 11, 1950, with Abdul Matin as its convener.
• By 1952, the Language Movement took a serious turn, with Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan dead and Khwaja Nazimuddin as the prime minister of Pakistan.
• A new party, the Awami Muslim League, was formed under Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani in 1949, which later became the Awami League.

Khwaja Nazimuddin's Speech

• On January 27, 1952, Khwaja Nazimuddin addressed a meeting at Paltan Maidan, stating that Urdu would be the state language of Pakistan, while the people of the province could decide on the provincial language.
• This sparked an instant negative reaction among students, who responded with the slogan "Rashtrabhasha Bangla Chai" (We want Bangla as the state language).

Formation of Central Language Action Committee

• A strike was observed at Dhaka University on January 30, 1952.
• On January 31, 1952, representatives of various political and cultural organizations held a meeting, chaired by Maulana Bhasani, and formed the All-Party Central Language Action Committee with Kazi Golam Mahboob as its convener.

Government's Proposal and Opposition

• The government proposed that Bangla be written in Arabic script, which was vehemently opposed by the people.
• The Language Action Committee decided to call a hartal and organize demonstrations and processions on February 21 throughout East Pakistan.

Events of February 21, 1952

• The government imposed Section 144 in Dhaka, banning all assemblies and demonstrations.
• Despite this, student protesters vowed to break Section 144 and police opened fire on them.

Outcome and Legacy

• The East Bengal Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution recommending the recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan.
• The Language Movement continued until 1956, achieving its goal by forcing the Pakistan Constituent Assembly to adopt both Bangla and Urdu as the state languages of Pakistan.

Notable Figures and Slogans

• Key figures involved in the movement include Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Kazi Golam Mahboob, Adel Uddin Ahmed, and Dhirendranath Datta.
• Notable slogans of the movement include "Rashtrabhasha Bangla Chai" and "Nimno maner chal ar lobon, daridrotai ajke nimojjito Bangla…amader mukher vasha kere niona".

Learn about the key events and figures of the Bangladesh Language Movement. This quiz covers the historical meeting, the formation of the All-Party Central Language Action Committee, and the protests against the proposal to write Bangla in Arabic script.