BSS
Land Minister and language movement veteran Shamsur Rahman Sharif today said the language movement led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had later turned into the movement for self-rule and autonomy.
“The language movement took place under the dynamic leadership of Bangabandhu,” he said speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting marking the International Mother Language Day at Public Library auditorium in the city.
The minister said the Pakistanis wanted to destroy the culture and heritage of the Bangalees. “They could understand that the fundamentalist state named Pakistan could not be sustained,” he added.
The Bangalee nation and nationalism had emerged through the language movement, he said, adding that none was able to destroy the Bangalee nationhood.
Shamsur Rahman Sharif said Bangabandhu’s six-point demand in 1966 and his 7th March speech in 1971 were the main sources of inspiration to struggle for an independent Bangladesh.
He said those who believe in internationalism instead of Bangalee nationalism did not say publicly that Bangabandhu had led the language movement. “We uphold the political philosophy and ideals of the Father of the Nation,” he said.
The student community had been leading the language movement since 1948, he added.
Organized by Bangabandhu O Jatiya Charneta Parishad, the meeting was also addressed by Awami League leader Mukul Bose, Gazi M.M. Amzad Hossain Milon, MP, Advocate Hosne Ara Dalia, MP, Dhaka city AL Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdul Huq Sabuj and Organizing Secretary Prof. HM Solaiman Chowdhury Sujan. The organization’s President Fulu Sarkar was in the chair.