The Bengali language and the Bengalis
The Bengali speaking people are now living in Bangladesh, the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Bihar and a large number of expatriates all over the world. Despite the political differences, all the Bengalis are proudly sharing the common rich tradition and heritage about Bengali language. Bengal was savaged by communal riots around the partition of India in 1947 between Hindus and Muslims.
The Language Movement
But the fond of Bengali language and culture reignited the Bengali sentiment soon after the partition particularly in East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh). The oppression against the language enraged the Bengalis to rise against the rulers and the Language movement emerged.
The movement reached its peak in the afternoon of 21st February, 1952 when several activists were killed brutally by the Police. The mass insurgency forced the establishment to recognize Bengalis as the National Language.
Shaheed Minar
In honour of the martyrs of 21st February a monument was established in the Dhaka University premises near the Dhaka Medical College. The present day monument was designed by Bengali sculptor Hamidur Rahman and Novera Ahmed.