Today is the day to achieve glory for the Bengali sons of who gave their lives for language



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
photo: Collected

photo: Collected

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My pride, my hope. AA-mori Bengali language!' There is no other language as sweet as Bengali in the world. The sweetness and importance of Bengali language is not only limited to 1 lakh 48 thousand square miles.

Although the people of many countries sacrificed themselves to be free, no one had an idea that anyone would have to die for the language! The sons of Bengali mothers got the honor of giving life for the first language in the world.

The movement started in February. Although the movement went on for several rounds, unarmed Bengali students were shot in the chest by the police and the streets were drenched in blood. So the year 1952 is the period of awakening of Bengalis. The foundation of independent Bangladesh was established on February 21 of this year. It was on that day that a small country began to wake up, gain independence and become known to the world.

In 1999, UNESCO recognized 21st February as International Mother Language. This honor is simultaneously a joy and a pain. This memorable date is associated with Bengalis and the existence of Bengal. Turning the golden pages of history can be seen, the memories of the martyrs are still wet in the blood!

After the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, two independent states, Hindustan and Pakistan, were born. Independent Pakistan was established on the eastern and western sides of Hindustan on the basis of religious majority. With that, two separate states of Pakistan, East Pakistan and West Pakistan were created. Pakistan was formed by the combination of 4 crore 40 lakh people of East Pakistan and 6 crore 90 people of West Pakistan. However, since the partition, the disparity between the two states began to be noticed. Even though it was a state of the same country, Bengalis were deprived in all aspects of government, administration and economy, military. The first protest against that discrimination took place in 1952.

Bengalis were optimistic about the newly created state. However, the discriminating West Pakistanis throw sand of despair in the eyes that are shining in the dream of potential which started with language. Bengali was the mother tongue of 54 percent of people in Pakistan. But the Pakistanis strongly refused to give Bengali the honor of the state language. Attempts were even made to completely erase Bengali from the national currency and postage stamps. Forced to cripple the Bengali linguistically, any opportunity should not be missed! West Pakistani leaders are seen to take such a decision. So besides being disappointed with the newly formed state, anger started building up in the minds of Bengalis.

Although two states of the same country, the dominance of the western part of Pakistan emerged from the beginning. Karachi was made the capital of Pakistan. It was announced at the National Education Conference of the new state that only Urdu would be the official language of Pakistan. It is recommended to use only one language in schools, offices and also in the media.

The decision was immediately contested in the East. The people of Dhaka joined the rally under the leadership of Abul Kashem, the founder of Tamuddin Majlis. Demands to recognize Bengali as another state language of Pakistan continued. But West Pakistan was adamant. Their 'Public Service Commission of Pakistan' approved list did not include Bengali names. The angry Bengalis decided to take any step to give Bengali the status of the state language. On December 8, 1947, the students formally raised this demand in the premises of Dhaka University. The procession and agitation continued.

On March 21, 1948, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, announced that Urdu would be the sole language of Pakistan. Immediately the Bengalis protested. Even after Jinnah's death, the dispute between the two sides of Pakistan continued over making Bengali the state language. The resolute Bengalis carried out the movement stop by stop which continued for several years.

The final fuel was added on January 26, 1952. In a rally in Dhaka, the final declaration was made, 'Urdu and Urdu will be the only national language of Pakistan.' On February 21 (Falgun 8 of 1358 in Bengal), Bengalis called for a general strike on this demand. Announcing the cancellation of meetings and marches with the imposition of section 144 to suppress the strike.

Young students were fired upon for disobeying government orders. Many students including Salam, Rafiq, Barkat, Jabbar, Shafiur were martyred. Many were arrested. Everyone gathered at Dhaka Medical College to insult the independence of the independent nation. On February 22, the general public including students also gathered and mourned the martyrs. Shaheed Minar was built next to the medical college overnight on February 23.

On February 26, the Shaheed Minar was demolished and the martyrs were insulted. Hardliner Pakistan is determined not to let the Bengalis raise their heads. The picture changed somewhat in 1954. If the United Front wins the election, let the Bengalis get relief. On February 29, 1956, the constitution was amended. There Bengali is given the honor of state language along with Urdu. Although the movement and sacrifices were successful for several years, the Bengalis realized that their struggle had only just begun. They have no freedom in their own country, rather discrimination.

Until the 90s, 21st February was observed as Martyrs Day of Bengal. However, since gaining international recognition and respect for the respective languages worldwide. Currently around 27 to 28 crore people speak Bengali in the world.

Government to provide treatment & income to all injured: Prime Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government will provide treatment and income to all those injured in the recent violence, regardless of party affiliation.

She said this while visiting the injured at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday (July 26). Meanwhile, she inquired about the physical condition of the injured.

Sheikh Hasina said that the government will do whatever is necessary for the treatment of those injured in the violence. The government will take responsibility for the treatment of the injured, whichever party they belong to.

She also said, even after accepting all the demands on the quota, why is the movement not ending? Everyone at home and abroad should be vocal against the violence and brutality of BNP-Jamaat.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister visited several wards of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and inquired about the injured. She talked to doctors and nurses. She ordered to give all kinds of treatment to the injured.

Earlier in the morning, the head of government visited the Bangladesh Television (BTV) building damaged by vandals' attack and fire at Rampura in the capital.

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BRUR administration provided financial assistance to the family of Abu Sayed



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Rangpur
BRUR administration provided financial assistance to the family of Abu Sayed

BRUR administration provided financial assistance to the family of Abu Sayed

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The university administration has provided financial assistance to the family of Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of the English department of Begum Rokeya University of Rangpur(BRUR), who was killed in the quota reform movement.

On Friday (July 26) at 10:30 a.m., a check of Tk. seven and a half lakh was handed over to the family of the deceased Abu Sayed.

At that time, Maqbul Hossain, the old father of the deceased Abu Sayed, said that at that time the VC sir spoke to me on the mobile phone. He asked about our welfare. He promised to be by our side. I told sir that one of our family should be given a job in the University. VC sir assured.

Maqbul Hossain also said, the piece of my liver was Abu Sayed. My family was running on the money saved from his private tuition. I have lost a child; there is no consolation for this grief.

University Proctor Shariful Islam, General Secretary of Teachers' Association Asaduzzaman Mandal Asad and President of Officials' Association Ferozul Islam were present while providing financial assistance on behalf of the University administration.

Proctor Shariful Islam said, the University administration is always in touch with the parents of Abu Sayed on the instructions of the VC. VC sir himself is looking for Sayed's family, he has promised to stand by the family. As a part of this, financial assistance of Tk. seven and a half lakh has been provided today. He said that this cooperation will continue.

Incidentally, on last Tuesday (July 16) there was a clash between the police and the Chhatra League at the park junction adjacent to Begum Rokeya University with the protesting students demanding quota reform. In this, Abu Sayed, who was in the front of the procession, died by gunshot. After this incident, the movement gained momentum throughout the country. Abu Sayed was one of the coordinators of Begum Rokeya University quota reform movement.

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To whom I will say life-life!



Kabir Ahmed, Assistant Editor, Barta24.com, Dhaka
To whom I will say life-life

To whom I will say life-life

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Poet Helal Hafiz has written a poem titled 'Je Jale Agun Jaley'. The name of the poem written in black in this book of his poetry is 'Vulgar Civilization'. A two-word title poem, and a complete poem of only two lines; 'Neutron bombs understand / Humans don't understand!' What a powerful source of two lines. What a source of great power is the title of the poem. The civilization that despises people and people's lives can't be obscene!

The poem is from the eighties, yet relevant all the time. In many ways the two lines come into discussion. More so, when trying to distinguish between the living and the inanimate comes to the fore. When there is an attempt to make other things important by keeping people secondary. The poem has stirred again during this quota movement. Those who enter the field to demand realization of demands, their demands may be reasonable, may be unreasonable, whether their demands are accepted or not may be a matter of policy-making level; But the application of force? No, of course not! The matter is inhumane, obscene!

While the first phase of the 2018 quota movement was isolated fights, the second phase of the 2024 quota movement was violence. In this violence, the movement was hijacked by the infiltration of dark assailants, vandalism took place, huge damage was done to state assets, people were endangered, normal civil life was interrupted, the state was in crisis of existence, the government was in disarray, anarchy was created in the country, people's lives were not safe; all true there is no denying it. Who is responsible, who is responsible, why is responsible, how is the discussion going on here? Attempts to start a discussion are also not noticeable. Before this, under the grip of the division, efforts are being made to achieve their own ambitions, especially political benefits.

There are no statistics on how many lives have been lost in this movement and post-movement violence. The government has informed how many policemen have been attacked, how many policemen have been injured. The judicial inquiry committee that the government has made, the committee will investigate only 6 deaths on the first day of violence, make comments, give various recommendations. The countless deaths beyond that will not be discussed much. I do not see the possibility of a trial, because usually those responsible for such deaths get informal impunity. It is feared that this time will not be an exception. But there is no doubt that mud will be thrown even if there is no trial.

Police is the law enforcement force. They have accurate calculations. The concerned authorities will keep an account of how many people have been affected by the violence, and how many of them have been injured by participating in the violence. There will be compensation for their families. They have the authority to take responsibility. But others...? As they have no account, there is no one to take responsibility. As a result, there will be no compensation for them, not even the slightest sympathy from any authority. Rather, each death will increase the suffering of the family members. Many families will have to bear various burdens due to the division.

Any death is unwanted. Some of the people who lost their lives in this huge violence were part of the violence; some were under its control. We had the opportunity to look at the matter as a human death rather than finding responsibility, but is that opportunity being taken at all? Here, who is anti-government, and who is pro-government - the dividing line drawn here is ultimately a replica of 'vulgar civilization'. What a horrible picture of people not understanding.

To prevent violence, the government has imposed a curfew in the country to bring the situation under control. It is claimed that efforts are being made to preserve greater rights by curtailing civil rights. The country is tolerating the issue of neglecting civil rights thinking that the light of day is coming at the end of darkness.

The lives lost in the post-movement violence will never return. We can convey to the state the demand for ensuring good treatment for those who are injured. But the treatment is also in the face of uncertainty. According to media reports, many are leaving the hospital before the end of treatment due to fear of arrest. Now that the government is on the case, many are likely to be arrested. Many of the injured are part of the violence, while others are simply injured by the accident — with doubts about whether they will even be able to complete treatment. In such a situation, the police's opportunistic circle also becomes active. Here is a lot of business!

The quota movement was not under the control of the students until the end. The country was not even under government control at the end. Law enforcement forces beat as well as beat. Curfew is being implemented in the country along with the regular forces to bring the situation under control. Lathi-charges-bullets-fires-gas-pepper sprays were all there. People were in danger. Now there are reports of deaths of people who were not part of this conflict, who were shot on roofs, streets, balconies, and died. Even though there is no accurate data on the number, nor is the government interested, it is not possible to deny these deaths.

The death of at least two hundred people is being reported through different media. No one knows exactly what this number is. But we know institutionally, this violence has caused various damages to government facilities. Foreign Minister Mohammad Hasan Mahmood visited the ruins along with high-ranking diplomats of various countries and organizations. Various ministers including the Prime Minister are visiting different places. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overwhelmed with emotion after visiting the metro rail station. Her cry has touched us too. She asked the countrymen to judge it.

The damage to brick-stone-technology and various media structures has caused huge financial loss to the state. Governments and heads of government are getting emotional showing the financial losses. Determine its financial value which is also going to be part of the political campaign. But the people, who died, the people who were killed, are little talked about. In the way the state is moving forward, the matter of equal value judgment is a priority. As we are not part of the government, we are interested in seeing government facilities and assets as intangibles, assuming that even if it is an undesirable event, it is fulfilling. But the waste of life, I know because it will not be fulfilled.

The government as an institution is busy in determining the financial value from an institutional point of view, but we as human beings, even if the financial loss hurts us, we give priority to the value of human life as a human aspect, and I think this is a matter of discussion. If there is money, there will be metro rail, public and private facilities will be renovated, built, hundreds of thousands of cars can be bought; but even if there is money, not even a drop of blood can be made for people; And to return life, it is impossible!

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Prime Minister visited the destruction of BTV building



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Prime Minister visited the destruction of BTV building

Prime Minister visited the destruction of BTV building

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the office of Bangladesh Television (BTV), which was affected by the violence surrounding the quota reform movement.

He visited the damaged BTV building on Friday (July 26) morning.

Miscreants set fire to the BTV center in Rampura of the capital during the quota reform movement on Thursday, July 18 at around 2 pm. The fire gutted the reception, canteen and a bus inside the TV centre.

Director General (DG) of BTV Dr. Jahangir Alam said miscreants set fire to BTV center, burnt many things including cameras. A lot of equipment was also looted. They burned 17 of our cars, vandalized 9 cars and burnt two broadcasting vans. The fire also caused a lot of damage to the building.

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