Dhaka, Feb. 21 -- Bangladesh is observing Language Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day with due solemnity as people across the country pay tribute to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement.

From 12:01am on Saturday, crowds gathered at Shaheed Minars in districts and Upazilas, laying wreaths in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the recognition of Bangla as a state language.

On Feb 21, 1952, police opened fire on students and activists demanding that Bangla be recognised as a state language of then Pakistan. Abdus Salam, Abdul Jabbar, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Barkat, Shafiur Rahman and others were killed in the crackdown.

In 1999, UNESCO declared Feb 21 as International Mother Language Day in recognition of...