B Mirror Report:Prime Minister Tarique Rahman observed the International Mother Language Day and the Martyrs’ Day with appropriate seriousness, paying eloquent homage to the martyrs of the historic 1952 Language Movement.
At 12:08 a.m., the premier laid a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar. As the timeless Ekushey anthem, “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February… Ami Ki Bhulite Pari?” reverberated in the background, he arrived at the Shaheed Minar grounds at 12:04 a.m. and made his way slowly towards the altar.
After placing the wreath, Tarique Rahman also chairman of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) stood in silent reverence for a while, expressing profound respect to the memories of the Language Movement heroes.
On the occasion, special prayers were offered seeking eternal peace for the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 Anti-autocracy Movement and the 2024 July Uprising. Prayers were also held seeking divine mercy for Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
The munajat further prayed for the continued progress of the country and the success of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Later, accompanied by cabinet colleagues and BNP Standing Committee members, the Prime Minister placed two separate wreaths at the Shaheed Minar on behalf of his cabinet and the party. He also laid another wreath along with his family members.
Earlier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid homage to the Language Movement martyrs by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at 12:01am.
Subsequently, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan also paid their respects.
Opposition leader and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman, along with leaders of the 11-party alliance, placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar as well.
Diplomats of different countries, the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, senior government officials, members of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission, Border Guards Bangladesh, University Grants Commission, Bangladesh Police, Bangla Academy and authorities of University of Dhaka were among those who also paid homage.
Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public. Hundreds of people from all walks of life, walking barefoot with flowers in hand and humming the Ekushey song, thronged the monument to recall the supreme sacrifices made by the language martyrs on this historic day in 1952.
