A significant and influential contribution made by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Bangladesh Nation, was his visionary recognition of the significance of the Bengali language as a powerful tool for emancipation and his dedicated persuasion to make everyone around him uphold the right of the language during the language movement.
Despite countless articles, essays, and papers discussing Bangabandhu's role in the language movement, this issue still needs to be sufficiently and satisfactorily covered.
After the formation of Pakistan in 1947, the governing elites of West Pakistan deliberately conspired to enforce Urdu, the language spoken by the minority population, as the official language of the Bengali-speaking majority.
Nevertheless, Sheikh Mujib emerged as the leader of those who initially resisted the oppressive efforts.
The exceptional leader in Bangabandhu, who had a deep affection for his mother tongue, played a prominent and pivotal role in the initial phase of the Language Movement in 1947, the subsequent protests and arrests in 1948, and later, as a member of the legislative assembly in the fight for the importance and the establishment of Bengali as the state language.
Bangabandhu’s initiative efforts primarily set the course of the language movement, and eventually, gave the necessary background for the invocation of a national spirit based on linguistic uniformity which worked fruitfully making the total population of Bengal aware of their national identity that enamored them to fight relentlessly for freedom.
After the independence of Bangladesh, when Bangabandhu became the President of the country, he promoted the recognition of the Bengali language internationally. Until his final moments, he dedicated himself to the progress and promotion of the Bengali language, championing the rights of the language and the people who spoke it.
In 1947, after the formation of Pakistan, a group of political activists gathered at the Sirajuddaula Hotel in Kolkata to discuss the future responsibilities of East Pakistan. A resolution was hatched to establish a non-partisan political movement and organization in Pakistan.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman actively participated in this process right from the outset. The East Pakistan Workers' Conference took place in Dhaka on September 6th and 7th, 1947, forming the Democratic Youth League.
Several linguistic recommendations were approved during the conference. In his book "Bangabandhu's Role in the Language Movement," Gaziul Haque stated that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the student leader, read the memorandum on that day.
The ideas suggested that Bengali should be the official language for written communication and legal proceedings in East Pakistan.
The determination of the national language for the entirety of Pakistan should be entrusted to the general populace, with the ultimate decision being reached by an agreement among the people.
Bangabandhu's voice initially expressed the demand for language rights (Role of Bangabandhu in the Language Movement: Gaziul Haque; Language Movement and Bangabandhu, Bangabandhu Research Center; February 1994).
Upon his return to East Pakistan from India, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman actively participated in the language campaign.
He actively engaged in the events associated with the State Language Movement at the Tamaddun Majlish during its initiation. In his book "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib," Dr Mazharul Islam stated that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman provided assistance and support to this Majlish on the state language issue (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib: Mazharul Islam; Agami Prokashoni, Dhaka, 1993; p. 104).
In December 1947, a manifesto was issued by 14 leaders of the language movement, together with other contemporary politicians, which included 21 further demands.
Of all these requests, the second one was, "We demand that Bengali be recognized as the state's official language." The "State Language – 21 Demands – Historic Manifesto" was published as a concise pamphlet and is still widely regarded as a significant document in the history of the language movement.
Bangabandhu's role in endorsing this declaration was indisputable, and he was one of its principal signatories.
The East Pakistan Muslim Students' League was created on January 4, 1948, under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
One of the crucial demands supported by the Student League was the inclusion of Bengali as Pakistan's official language. On February 26 of that year, a demonstration was organized at educational institutions, specifically at Dhaka University, in response to an invitation from Tamaddun Majlish.
The protest drew a large crowd, with Abul Kashem, a physics lecturer at Dhaka University (popularly known as Principal Abul Kashem) leading the gathering. Bangabandhu had a pioneering role in this protest as well.
Dr Mazharul Islam emphasized that Sheikh Mujib demonstrated exceptional leadership in organizing and managing this event.
He, along with all progressive student leaders, strongly recognized the need to create a comprehensive movement to establish Bengali as the state's official language" (Language Movement and Sheikh Mujib, stated before, pp. 19-20).
Sheikh Mujib played a significant role in the language movement by actively engaging with the leadership group of the All-Party State Language Movement Council and contributing to a united declaration.
The State Language Movement Council was reconstituted on March 2 1948, during a joint meeting of Tamaddun Majlis and the Muslim Students' League.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Shamsul Haque, Ali Ahad, Muhammad Toaha, Abul Kashem, Ranesh Dasgupta, and Ajit Guha were present at the conference to aggressively oppose the government and the Muslim League's anti-Bengali activities.
The establishment of this multi-party State Language Movement Council was intended to foster a comprehensive opposition to the anti-Bengali measures inflicted by the central government. Sheikh Mujib was prominent in establishing this council, demonstrating his excellent organizational skills and far-reaching leadership.
Bangabandhu made a notable statement about the importance of March 11 in the history of the language struggle. He stated that the Language struggle did not begin on February 21, 1952, instead, it started on March 11, 1948. This statement was published in the Daily Azad on February 16, 1971.
In 1949, the demand for Bengali to be recognized as the state's official language was widely expressed through slogans and posters displayed on walls and sidewalks. Bangabandhu was detained on two occasions due to his involvement in multiple initiatives of the language movement in 1949.
Bangabandhu carried his devotion for Bengali all along even after the independence of Bangladesh also. The inaugural constitution of sovereign Bangladesh was ratified on December 16, 1972. The Bengali language was used to write the nation's inaugural constitution.
President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formally acknowledged Bengali as the national language in the constitution. On September 25, 1974, he was the inaugural diplomat to deliver a speech in Bengali at the United Nations.
This role will be indelibly recorded in the annals of history. The United Nations' initiative to establish the dignity of the Bengali language was an important and triumphant endeavour.
On March 12, 1975, while serving as president, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman issued a government notification endorsing the utilisation of the Bengali language for official purposes. The statement declares that Bengali is the official language of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Bengali is the official language of our country.
Regrettably, despite three years of independence, many documents in offices and courts are still predominantly written in English rather than the native language. It is distressing to acknowledge that those who lack affection for their native language, which is the language of their nation, inflict suffering.
The Bengali language has now surpassed national borders and has become widespread worldwide. UNESCO officially designated February 21 as International Mother Language Day on November 17 1999.
The day carries significance not just as a universally acknowledged occasion but also as a humble remembrance of the sacrifices made by Bengalis for their mother tongue between 1947 and 1952.
The awakening of consciousness, brought about by the courageous leadership of Bangabandhu in the struggle for the mother tongue, has resulted in the establishment of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh.
The historical reality is that the ongoing fight for the rights of the Bengali language has led to our cherished independence.
Recognizing Bangabandhu's contribution is historically essential for acknowledging the significance of the Bengali language and the independence of Bangladesh. Dismissing or depreciating Bangabandhu in this regard would entail antipathy to our history, tradition, and national life.
Although Bangabandhu has passed away, the more we contemplate the Bengali language, the Bengali nation, and the history of Bangladesh, the more often this esteemed leader will be recalled.
On the 69th anniversary of the Great Ekushey, I reflect upon the profound respect and affection I hold for Bangabandhu's unforgettable role in fighting for and upholding the Bengali language in every sphere of Bengali life.
Dr M Shahinoor Rahman, the author of this article, is a writer, columnist, folklorist, professor of English and former pro-vice-chancellor at Islamic University in Kushtia, Bangladesh.
