Ekushey: who were the other martyrs ?
Since our childhood we have been hearing that Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and many others sacrificed their lives for Bangla in 1952. But who were those many others? Fifty-two years have passed but still we are telling many other people died without finding who were those martyrs . Isn't it a shame for the nation? Though we know Salam, Barkat, Rafiq and Jabbar died for our mother language, how much do we really know about them? At least in the school and college level text books there is no chapter on these brave sons of the land.* * *
We celebrate Ekushey every year and it seems it is only because it gives us a chance to enjoy some good cultural programmes. We are paying homage to the people who sacrificed their lives for a noble cause. Maybe, it is more convenient for our intellectuals to speak in some cultural programmes, than to do some research on the martyrs of the Language Movement.
On this day of sorrow and glory I share my feelings with all the families of the martyrs of the Language Movement, and offer my sincere apologies to them for the nation's failure to translate the martyrs' dreams into reality. Someone has to acknowledge the truth.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Syed Raiyan Riyadh