No matter wherever in the world we go, our souls are stuck to our roots. There is where we belong. Forever. The Language Movement (Bangla Bhasha Andolon) was a political and cultural movement in Bangladesh that encircled the recognition of Bengali language as the official language and a broader reaffirmation of the ethno-national consciousness of the Bengali people. Discontent against Pakistan’s Urdu-only policy had spilled into mass agitation since 1948 and reached its climactic strength after police fired upon and killed student demonstrators on 21^st February, 1952.

‘Ekushe February’ was the fateful day when in front of Dhaka Medical College gate brave sons of Bengal were martyred for the love of their mother language.

We have heard the story of 21^st February so many times, yet it all hurts right at the core of the heart as hard it did for the first time. Sixty five years ago on this day at nine o'clock in the morning, students began gathering on the University of Dhaka premises. The university vice-chancellor and other officials were present as armed police surrounded the campus. Students gathered at the university gate and attempted to break the police line. Police fired tear gas shells towards the gate to warn the students, and suddenly a few of them ran into the Dhaka Medical College, others rallying towards the university premises cordoned by the police. The vice-chancellor asked police to stop firing and ordered the students to leave the area. However, the police arrested several students for violating section 144 as they attempted to leave. Enraged by the arrests, the students met around the East Bengal Legislative Assembly and blocked the legislators' way, asking them to present their insistence at the assembly. When a group of students sought to storm into the building, police opened fire and killed a number of students

The tune of ‘Amaar bhaier rokte rangano ekushe February’ still haunts. It haunts our souls, our emotions and our love for our language.