Masses pour into Central Shaheed Minar to pay homage to Language Martyrs

On the occasion of Amar Ekushey February, International Mother Language Day, and Great Martyrs’ Day, a large number of people thronged the Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday (February 21) to pay homage to the martyrs of the Language Movement.

Various political parties, organisations, and educational institutions laid wreaths from early morning.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid tribute by placing flowers at 12:01am, followed by the Prime Minister and cabinet members at 12:08am. Later, wreaths were laid on behalf of the BNP and the Zia family.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqul Rahman, along with leaders of the 11-party alliance, also paid respects. The event was attended by Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam and several alliance MPs.

Sequentially, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Nasimul Ghani, Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury and other appellate judges, Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammed Nazmul Hasan, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan laid wreaths. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niyaz Ahmed Khan represented the university in paying homage.

Leaders and members of political parties and organizations, including the National Citizens Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, NDM, AB Party, Jatiya Party, BJP, JP, CPB, BASAD, Biplobi Workers Party, JASAD, JSD, and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with student organisations such as Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Union, Chhatra Front, and Chhatra Maitri, were also present.

Tributes were additionally offered by major universities and colleges in Dhaka, as well as cultural groups like July Oikyo, Prothom Alo Bondhusobha, and July Mancha.