Home ›› 21 Feb 2023 ›› Governance
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday denounced attempts to undermine the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the historic Language Movement.
"Bangabandhu was jailed for waging the Language Movement. Why was he in jail (at that time) if he had no contribution?" she asked.
The prime minister said this after conferring the "Ekushey Padak 2023" to 19 eminent personalities and two organisations in recognition of their contributions to the 1952 Language Movement, art, culture, journalism.
She handed over the Ekushey Padak, the country's second highest civilian award, at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
Hasina said the 'Joy Bangla' slogan, which inspired the freedom fighters to make their supreme sacrifice, and the historic 7th March speech were banned after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib in 1975.
"Actually his name was obliterated from history. Not only that, his contribution to the Language Movement was erased," she said, adding that even some scholars said he had no contribution since he was in jail at that time.
The prime minister said Bangabandhu was arrested on three occasions within months after the emergence of Pakistan as a country. Arrested in 1949, he was not released until February 27, 1952, she noted.
While he was in jail, student leaders used to meet him and received his instructions regarding the Language Movement, she said adding that it can be learnt reading the books 'Asamapta Atmajibani' (Unfinished Memories) of Bangabandhu and 'Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Bangabandhu.
The specific dates, names of student leaders who met Bangabandhu and his role during the Language Movement can largely be learnt from the 113-130 pages of the Volume-II of the secret documents book.
The prime minister extended her sincere thanks to the awardees and noted personalities.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs organised the event on the occasion of 'Amar Ekushey' and International Mother Language Day.
The Ekushey Padak went to Khaleda Manzoor-e Khuda, freedom fighter AKM Shamsul Haque (posthumous), and Haji Mohammad Majibor Rahman for their roles in the Language Movement.
Masud Ali Khan and Shimul Yusuf received the prestigious award for their contributions in acting, while Manoranjan Ghoshal, Gazi Abdul Hakim and Fazal-e-Khuda (posthumous) for music, Jayanto Chattopadhyay for recitation, Nawazish Ali Khan for Shilpakala (arts), and Kanak Chanpa Chakma for painting.
Besides, Momtaz Uddin (posthumously) was given the award in the Liberation War category, Md Shah Alamgir (posthumously) in journalism, Dr Md Abdul Majid in research, Professor Dr Mazharul Islam (posthumously) in education, Saidul Haque in social service, Advocate Manjurul Islam (posthumously) and Akhter Uddin Mia (posthumously) in politics, and Dr Maniruzzaman in language and literature.
Bangladesh National Museum received the award in the category of education and Bidyanondo Foundation in social service.
Each awardee received a gold medal, a certificate of honour, and a cheque worth Tk four lakh.
