Agartala, February 21:
The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala on Friday observed International Mother Language Day 2026 with solemnity and reverence, paying tribute to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement while underscoring the deep-rooted linguistic and emotional bond between Bangladesh and Tripura.
The programme began with the hoisting of Bangladesh’s national flag at half-mast at the commission premises in Agartala, as the national anthem played.
Officials and staff members beside schools students and local intellectuals offered floral tributes at a temporary Shaheed Minar erected within the compound to honour the language martyrs who laid down their lives on February 21, 1952.
A special prayer was also held seeking eternal peace for the departed souls and continued progress and prosperity for Bangladesh.
Addressing reporters, Hasan Al Bashar Abul Ulayee, Assistant High Commissioner, described February 21 as a historic day not only for Bangladesh but for the entire world.
“Today is the great 21st of February, Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day. For the sake of their language, the people of Bangladesh sacrificed their lives on 21 February 1952. Since then, this immortal day has been observed not only in Bangladesh but across the world wherever Bengalis live,” he said.
The Assistant High Commissioner recalled that in continuation of the legacy of the Language Movement, the day was later recognised by UNESCO as International Mother Language Day, and is now observed globally to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism.
Highlighting the historical significance of the movement, the envoy said the Language Movement laid the foundation for a secular, democratic and language-based state system in Bangladesh and played a pivotal role in shaping Bengali nationalism.
He further recalled the crucial role played by the people of Tripura during the Bangladesh Liberation War, noting that the bonds forged during the 1971 struggle remain deeply cherished.
“You know that the relationship between Tripura and Bangladesh is a deeply emotional and spiritual one, and language plays a major role in this bond. There are Bengali-speaking people in Tripura, and in Bangladesh we also speak Bengali. At the same time, India has a unique and beautiful linguistic diversity. The core message of International Mother Language Day and Martyrs’ Day is how this diversity and its beauty can unite people,” he stated.
Extending his greetings to the people of Tripura, the Assistant High Commissioner expressed hope that the observance of the day across the world would strengthen mutual understanding and harmony.
He also emphasized that every child across the globe should have the right to speak and learn in their mother tongue, stressing that education in one’s native language is essential for proper mental development and cultural identity.
The observance in Agartala once again reflected how language, liberation history and shared cultural heritage continue to shape and strengthen the enduring relationship between Bangladesh and Tripura.
