Bangladesh language movement to be celebrated indoors

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Bangladesh language movement to be celebrated indoors

Posted on : 2007-02-20 | Author : Indo Asian News Service

Dhaka, Feb 20 Bangladesh will observe the anniversary of one of their most
emotive political incidents - the 1954 language movement - indoors as a
state of emergency across the country is in force. Men in white, and women
in white saris with red border, will march to the Martyrs' Memorial in the
heart of this capital to pay homage in memory of those, mostly teachers
and students, killed in police firing while protesting the then Pakistan
government's one-language policy declaring Urdu the only official language
in both parts of the state. But there will be no placards, banners slogans
or songs since the state of emergency forbids political activity.

Feb 21, popularly known as 'ekushey' (21), is observed as International
Mother Language Day and is Bangladesh's annual cultural catharsis.
Official orders had initially banned the 'Ekushey' observations across the
country. But orders were changed when a delegation of the Awami League -
the country's largest party - met Law Advisor Mainul Hosein Monday, New
Age newspaper reported. The country is under a state of emergency after
the ninth general elections - scheduled on Jan 11 - were cancelled in the
midst of political turmoil.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/32449.html

***********************************************************************************

N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members
and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of
the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a
message are encouraged to post a rebuttal.

***********************************************************************************