18 eee EEE LANGUAGE MOVEMENT Badruddin Umar” ‘The political developments in East Bengal after the partition (1947) did not exactly {cllow the srends set out by pre-partition politics. Hindu-Muslim tensions, intra-party factionalism, setting up political infrastructures and economic reconstruction of the new nation, etc, were the problems which were likely to come up in post-partition politics, But curiously East Bengal politics was characterised by none of these factors. On the contrary, it was dominated by an unforeseen issue—the language question. What ought to be the language for the state of Pakistan soon became a hotly debated issue. Out of the ill-calculated moves of the ruling clite was bom a qass movement in East Bengal which had soon overtaken the concept of Pakistan iteelf and led the people of East Bengal to seek for a new identity — this time the Bengali nationalism. In this section we shall concentrate on the early stage of this movement with a particular emphasis on the leading activists of the movement. Even before the creation of Pakistan in August 1947, there was a demand to make Bangla the national language. Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah, the famous linguist and educator, remarked in July 1947 that there was no reason why Bangla should not be accepted as the state language once English was discarded as a foreign tongue. While the new born state was beset with so many other vital problems, it was unexpectedly the peripheral language question which was taken up by the top leadership as a major policy line for the state. Naturally, it created a debate not only — * Former Head of the Department of Polidcal Science, University of Rajshahi. , 1 Del Moharamad Shahidullah, "Amader Bhasha Shamashya” (Our language Problem), The Daily ‘Azad, Sraben 12, 1354 (B.S.) Scanned with CamScannerLANGUAGE MOVEMENT 353 among the political leaders but also litterateurs, students and academics. Provision for imparting education through mother tongue was stressed in the draft manifesto prepared by Abul Hashim, the General Secretary of the Provincial Mustim League and placed before the Provincial Council before the birth of Pakistan? When Mountbatten, the last Governor General of India, declared the Partition Scheme on June 3, 1947, a handful of left-wing politicians formed the Peoples Freedom League in July 1947.3 Kamruddin Ahmed, Mohammad Toaha, Tazuddin Ahmed, Oli Ahad and others brought out a manifesto to make Bangla the medium of education.* They demanded that since Bangla was their mother-tongue conscious attempts should be made to make the language grow and that it should be made the state language of East Bengal.5 One possible explanation to such a parochial demand for making Bangle the state language of East Bengal alone was that the Muslim League was still uncertain about the future constitutional status of Bengal. The People's Freedom League most probably thought that the two wings of Pakistan would be enjoying self-governing status and, therefore, Bast Pakistan would form an autonomous unit. The young political workers held a conference in Dhaka on September 6 and 7 in 1947. A proposal was made in that conference to make Bangla the state language of Pakistan. The proposals made in the conference were that Bangla should be made the medium of instructions and of legal matters at courts. It was also proposed that the decision about the state language should be Ieft to the people and people's verdict should be considered as the ultimate decision.> On September 2, 1947 some students of the Dhaka University formed the Tamaddun Mojlish, a cultural organization. During the first phase of the language movement this organization campaigned for making Bangla the medium of education and of legal proceedings. On September 15, 1947 they brought out a pamphlet titled "Should Pakistan's state language be Usdu or Bengali?” In that pamphlet they demanded Bangla to be made the medium of instructions in educational institutions, of legal matters and of all official works and also the language of the Central Government of Pakistan. It said that each unit of Pakistan should be independent and sovereign as has been declared by the Resolution at Lahore. Each province, ‘Abul Hashim's Draft Manifesto of the Bengal Provincial Muslim League. published by Shamsuddin Ahmed, 150 Mughaltsli, Dhaka, 6. ‘Ashu Dabi Karmashuchi Adarsha (Proposals for Immediate Demands), published by Kamruddin ‘Ahmed, Convener, Peoples Freedom League, East Pakistan Publishing House, Jumrail Lano, Dhaka, July 1947, Ibid. 22. Woid., 23 Shaméal Huq, Amra Garibo Shodhin Shukhi Ganatontrik Pakistan (We will build an lndepenntent Democrale and Happy Pakisan) published on bebalf of Bast Pakistan Workers Conlerenee, 190) Mughaltuli, Dhaka. Baliadi Printing Works, Dhaka, Scanned with CamScannerep, 54 354 HISTORY OF BANGLADESH made by therefore, had the right to choose i's state language.” This Proporsl Tyo. contatned Abel Kashem, a leader of the Tamaddun Majlish. The me the Department of asticles on the language issue by Kazi Motahar Hossait O° OM or the Statistics at the University af Dhaka and Abul Mansoor 1 Daily Itrehad. | : a “The Working Committee of the Bengal Proviacial Muslim Leagve a i on Provincial Muslim League of United Bengal held its last meeting 18° Ate Tecember 5, 1947. At that meeting it was decided that Urdu itt oad sate language of Bast Bengal. Maulana Akram Khan, chairman . 2 ee a was authorised to circulate this resolution through # press release. foe i ee the Muslim League was held at the Burdwan House, the residence of Chie! ints Khwaja Nazimuddin, where large number of students and a few ee ere, present and ventilated their demand to make Bangle the state language. Meanwhile an edveation conference had been held in Karachi on a national level where Habibullah Bahar and Abdul Hamid, two ministers from East Pakistan, were participants. After returning from the conference they spoke at a press conference ‘and informed that Urdu had been accepted as the state language of Pakistan. Before this news could be published on December 6, 1947 the Morning News already printed the news on December 5, 1947 on the basis of API information that Urdu had been unanimously accepted as the lingua-franca of Pakistan but no decision had _ been taken yet on the question of state language. That responsibility had been given to the Pakisten Constituent Assembly. Protesting zgainst the decision of the education conference the first of the meetings czgenized by the students demanding Bangla as the state language, took place at the Dhaka University campus on December 6, 1947. The students of Dhaka University, Dhaka Intermediate College, Jagannath Intermediate College and of other institations, were present at the meeting. The mecting was presided over by Abul Kashem of the Department of Physics at the University of Dhaka and the Secretary of the Tamaddun Majlis, and among the speakers included Munir Choudhury, Abdur Rakman Choadhury, Kalyan Das Gupta, A. K.M. Ahsan and S. Ahmad. Farid Ahmad, the Vice-President of the Central Students Union of Dhaka Universi forward the following proposals which were accepted unanimously at this recto 7 Professor M. A. Kashem, “Is the stale language of gag rar Ramna, Dhaks, printed by Baliadi Printing Works, 137 Bongshal Road. Dhake, September, 8 The Morning News,7 i 7 7, 4. December 1947; The Daily Azad, Deceanber, 1947, The Moming News, 7 Mh ee December, 1947, Pakistan Bengali or is it Urdu?” Tamaddun Scanned with CamScannery.oY 1. Bangla to be given pri Pakistan as well as the official East Pakistan. LANGUAGE MOVEMENT 355 jority as the state language of the dominion of language and a8 the medium of instruction in 2. The confusion created in respect of tho state language and the lingua franca was to conceal the real issue. ‘The government's attitude was a betrayal to 1o of Bast Pakistan. Bangla language and to the peop! 3, Fazlur Rahman, a minister of Pakistan Government and Habibullah Bahar, a minister of the Provincial Government were criticised for supporting the resolution at the education conference in favour of Urdu language. 4, The Moming News was criticised for printing anti-Bangla propaganda. It was wamed not to defy the wishes of the people. ‘After this meeting the students brought out a procession and after demonstrating through various roads they reached the Secretariat. From there they went to the residences of Minister Nurul Amin and Hamidul Haq Choudhury and demanded Bangla to be made the state language. Although provincial ministers like Mohammad ‘Afzal and Nurul Amin had promised to accept the demand for Bangla language!! Nazimuddin chose not to promise anything regarding this matter. He refused to mect the smdents on the plea of illness but sent 2 written message to them that he was unable to give a definite opinion on the language issue unless he kaiew the opinion of the Muslim League Working Committee and the Parliamentary Party.'? Habibullah Babar gave a press release on December 11, 1947 that his interview at the Dhaka ‘Airport bad been misinterpreted and told that no decision had yet been taken relating to state language.!> As protests and demonstrations were going on in and outside Dhaka city against the recommendation of the education conference a group of people from Sythet presented a memorandum in favour of Urdu language to Khwaja Nazimuddin. Criticising the supporters of Bangla the memorialists argued that a group of people who considered themselves famous litterateurs, artists and scholars were making strong campaigns against Urdu and that they were certainly mistaken in their arguments in favour of Bangla. The memorialists argued that Bangla could never be suitable as a state language for an Islamic state like Pakistan and their demand 10 reject the traditionally rich Urdu language was shameful, destructive, backward- looking and a challenge to Islamic brotherhood.'4 The memorandum continued that it would be a denial to national identity if they accepted Bangla Janguage, which was influenced by the Ramayana, the No Rid. 12 Ibid.. 10 December, 1947. 13 Ibid, 13 December, 1947. 14 Bid. 19 Desember, 1947, Scanned with CamScannerRO 136 356 HISTORY OF BANGLADESR Mahabharata, the Upanishadas and the Vedas, as the state language neglecting Urdu, which had been influenced by the Holy Quran and Istamic literature. The idea of Pakistan had emerged out of a separate cultural, historical and religious identity of the Muslims of India, Urdu was the national language of the Muslims of India. It was a language tich in literature and also in modem scientific writings and, therefore, Urdu would de the most suitable medium for both East and West Pakistan.!5 In this memorandum it was contended that those who were in favour of making Bangla the state language were out of touch with the general public. Those who cemanded Urdu as the state language were claimed to be the genuine representatives of the people, In this respect they referred to the opinions expressed in favour of Urdu by the Muslim Youth Federation of Sylhet district, the conference of the Bengal Provincial Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam at Sharshina, the weekly journal Jugaveri from Sylhet, Dr. Ziauddin, the Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh University and Fazlur Rahman, the minister at the central cabinet. Their opinion was thet if Bengla was made the state language instead of Urdu, the unifying link between the two wings of Pakistan would be lost and Pakistani nationalism would be weakened.!6 In 1947 an anti-government feeling on the language issve was already manifested through various protest movements among the middle class people in Bast Pakistan. The use of English and Urdu on money order forms, on postal stamps and coins with the exclusion of Bangla increased the exasperation of the East Pakistanis against the central government. ‘ To give 2 broader organizational structure to this anti-government feeling of the seople the Tamaddun Majlis took the initiative in forming the National Language ‘xction Committee, in October 1947. This Action Committee was formed in the presence of a number of members of Tamaddun Majlish and Stadents Muslim versity of Dhaka was elected convener.!7 This Action League. Nusul Hug of the University ra scape Committee in its early stage printed statements in journals eee discussions” took interviews with government officials and continued its protest Tmovement in varios ways sod gisladve Assembly (1948) Dhizendranath Duta, Tn the first session of the " for including Bangla a Native from East Pakistan raised the demaod for in 18 Seca Ianguage of the Legislative Assembly. alongside English and Urdu as ® Dhirendranath's proposal came under severe criticism. Liaquat Ali Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan said that it was sigh 8 on Fife en Dyan au ct sue of og propost Yad declared that the Assembly should ee 1S Ibid. cf Ibid. separa, Bhasha Andoloner bash Daa 126.1. as ee, 08, Scanned with CamScannerLSP LANGUAGE MOVEMENT 357 disregard such an amendment bill.!9 He said that the create disunity among the people of Pakistan and to single language.20 Khwaja Nazimuddin, the Chief. the proposal made by Dhirendranath Duta and said that the majority of the people of |. East Pakistan agreed that only Urdu should be made the state language2! Tamizuddin Khan, the vice-president of the Legislative Assembly and a Tepresentative from East Pakistan also spoke against the proposel.22 Proposal had been raised to Prevent the people from using 2 Minister of East Pakistan opposed ‘Students expressed their resentments through strikes and rallies. The students of Dhaka University, Medical College, the Engineering College and of various schools boycotted their classes on February 26, 1948 and brought out processions and rallied through the Ramna area chanting slogans in favour of Bangla. The procession ended at the University campus where a meeting was held. Abul Kashem presided over the meeting and Naimuddin Ahmad, the convener, and Mohammad Toaha, vice- president of Fazlul Hug Hall Union among others, spoke-at the meeting.23 To start an organized movement against the decision of the Legislative Assembly and the anti-Bangla attitude of the Muslim League the East Pakistan Muslim Students League, the students of all the residential halls of Dhaka University and the members of the Tamaddun Majlish called for a meeting on March 2, 1948.24 Those ~ prescat at this meeting were Kamruddin Ahmed, Ranesh Das Gupta, Aziz Ahmad, Ajit Guha, Abul Kashem, Sardar Fazlul Karim, Shamsuddin Ahmad, Shamsul Hog, Toaha, Nainmddin Ahmad, Tofazzal Ali, Ali Ahmed, Mohiuddin, Anwara Khatun, Samsul Alam, Shahidullah Kaiser, Tazuddin Ahmed, Lily Khan, Shaokat Ali, Awal, ‘Wahed Choudhury, Nurul Alam, Kazi Golam Mabbub and others.25 Kamruddin Ahmed presided over this meeting.25 To give an organizational form to the language movement and to run the organization effectively decision was taken at this meeting to form a wider and more representative committee. An all-Party organization was formed. It was called the National Language Action Committee comprising members from the Democratic Freedom League, the Democratic Youth League, the Tamaddun Majlish, two representatives from each of the residential halls of the Dhaka ‘University like the Salimollah Muslim Hall and Fazlul Haq Hall and the East ——— 19 The Amrtia Bazar Patrika (own Edition) 27 February, 1948. 20 The Naubelal, 4 March, 1948. 2 pid. the editorial, . 3 ine dubelal ¢ March 1948; The Ananda Bovar Patrita (the last town esion) 27 Febeusy 24 Tejuddin Ahmed's Diary, 2 March 1948: Badruddin Umer (ed), sasoin Andel Prasanga’ Dail Some Documents ofthe Language Movement). Vol. 1, (Dhaka 1988) 25 Ibid. 2% Ibid. 1988. ‘auipoy Scanned with CamScannere.5® Pakistan Muslim Students League with Samsul Alam as the convenct of the ‘organization2? OC ‘The National Language Action Committee demanded Bangla ret acre bite state language of Pakistan and passed a resolution to call a provin fattee March 11, 1948 in protest against the exclusion of Bangla language from Daa languages to be used at the Pakistan Legislative Assembly.” the acttle supporting the movement began to make arrangements to make the strike on Ll a success. . On the other hand the Muslim League and the agents of government became a al te foil the eirike. The National Language Action Committee met at Fazlul Huq Hi at night of March 10 to chalk out an elaborate programme and to make the strike on March 11 successful. The Committee members discussed on measures to be taken if government ban was imposed on the propesed demonstrations to be held on March 11, Besides, elaborate programme was chalked out relating to picketing on the day of strike.” Or the morning of March 11 picketting started at the first and second gate of the Ramna Post Office, Palashi and Nilkhet barracks, District Court, High Court and Railway Workshop. Work at the Railway Workshop usually started at 5 a. m. The students, therefore, reached there before that time. In the areas where officers used to live, for instance, Nilkhet and Palashi barracks, stadents arrived long before office hours.%? Police arrested some students while they were picketting in front of the Ramna Post Office.3! At the High Court gate while the students were picketting and urging the lawyers to boycott courts, exchange of heated words started between the students and the lawycrs. Pazlul Hug told the reporters of the Amrita Bazar Patrika that around 10-30 a. m. when he artived in front of the High Court he saw students picketting and he could not go inside. He told the students that he had eight cases and in his absence his clients would de affected. But he failed to convince the students and at the end he returned home.3# 358 HISTORY OF BANGLADESH ‘When Fazici Hug and the students were having this altercation the then GOC, Ayub Khan was going to the army headquarters situated at the High Court premise. Ayub Khan notices the situation and recorded in his book, Friends Not Masters: I remer:ber one day I was coming back to the High Count after an inspection. I found. Fazlul Fug asking the students to lie flat on the ground to prevent the working of the ee 27 Badruddin Umar, Puta Banglar Rhosha Andolon O Tatkalin Rajaiti The Lang ratkatin Movement East Bengal and Contermporary Politics), Vol. 1, 3rd edition, Dhaka, 68, =e ver 28 The Weekly Naubelal, Sylhet, 4 March. 1948, 29° Badroddin Umar, Bhasha Andolon, Vol. ,72-73. 30 Ibid, 72. 3 Bid, 74, 32 The Amrita Bavar Patrika, 12 March. 1948, Scanned with CamScannerLANGUAGE MOVEMENT 359 car and asked what it was all about. Paalut Hq saw me sng eben SE nt Tooke dangerous. He qoletly advised the boys to clear out.33 ‘This recount does not have a factual basis and it was nothing more than a lie and a show of self adulation. the police latht charged the stadents picketting in front of the High Court the eae decided tp boycott court.2* The students not only picketed in fron of te High Court, they also picketed in front of the Secretariat. Students were also lathi- charged there. In an interview already mentioned with the reporter of the Amriza Bazar Patrika Fezlul Hug said that while revarning home from the High Court he saw a group of students in front of the Secretariat Building. He tried to persuade them to return home. Suddenly he saw police chasing a group of students who rushed to the place where Fazlul Hug was standing. He saw the police beaiing-up the students around him. Fazlul Hug was also hit by the lathi on his knee and he was in pain. He went to the Medical College and got his nee properly bandaged but he was not seriously hurt.35 On the moming of March 11 the students were present at Topkhana and Abdul Ghani Roed for picketting in front of the Secretariat. Shamsu} Hug, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Oli Ahad and others were preseat at Abdul Gani Road. At the Topkhanz ‘Road Kazi Golam Mahbub, Shawkat Ali, Barkat and others were present. While the picketting was going on there altercations between the police and Shamsul Huq, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Oli Ahad, Shawkat Ali and Kazi Golam Mahbub were arrested and taken to Waiz Ghat Police Station. After long interrogation they were ” sent for detention in the Dhaka Central Jail.35 To protest against lathi-charge and police torture on the students a meeting was arranged at the Dhaka University premise. Naimuddin Ahmad, the convener of the East Pakistan Muslim Students League presided over the meeting. The speakers at the meeting gave agitating speeches and made strong criticisms against police excesses on students. They also demanded the resignation of those representatives from East Bengal who failed to uphold the wishes of the Bengalis.37 ‘The officers of the Secretariat and Railway Department also joined the students and 2 railway strike was observed though partially. Due to pickerting during the strike at the Railway Work-shop a clash between police and students took place and some students were arrested.38 33 Mobammad Ayub Khan, Frtends Not Masters (Lahore 1967), 30. The Amrita Bazar Patrika, 12 March, 1948. 35 Ibid. 36 Badmoddin Umar, Bhasha Andolon, Vol. 1.77. 3) The Amvita Bazar Patrika, 12 March, 1948. 38 Badraddin Umar, Bhasha Andolon, Vol. 1.79. Scanned with CamScanner360 HISTORY OF BANGLADESH | of the National Language Action East Bengal students participated in ; everywhere except in Jessore where police anacked the students. Anti-government feeting was running high in Jeasore due to this reason and shops remained cloted in the afternoon)? On March 2 Naimuddin Ahmad, the convener of the Bast Pakistan Mastim Stodents League gave a press release stating the tortures inflicted by the police on the students. Acconting to thie statement the number of students injured and those arrested on March {1 stood at 200.40 The Associated Press of Pakistan reported thet on the morning of March 12 a students’ meeting was held at Jagannath College which was attacked by about a hundred outsiders who pelted bricks and stones at the students. Many were suspected as communists and were hit by iron rod. Police was stationed in the Secretariat area and the road in front of the Secretariat was closed to the public. In spite of this, students brought out processions in the University area and other places of the city protesting against police atrocities and anti-Bangla conspiracy.4! On March 13 Government banned the Amrita Bazar Patrika, the Ananda Bazar Patrika published from Kolkata and the Communist Party organ the Dainik Swadhinata in East Bengal. Police seized those newspapers on that day from the Tejgaon airport‘? Protesting against police atrocities on the students on March 1! and demanding Banglz as the state language the students of the Dhaka University and all other institutions outside Dhaka, for instance in Chittagong, Comilla, Jessore, Khulna, Barisal, Faridpur called strikes and demonstrations which continued till March 15, the day scheduled for the first session of the East Bengal Legislative Assembly. In the aftemoor of March 14 the Muslim League Pastismentary Party met at the residence of Chief Minister Nazimuddin, A umber of staaents gathered thers wisp ‘ chanted slogans until 9 p. m. against the government, ie mocing was ging on m8 and release of the sudenss At this ing Bangla as the state language discussed. 4S meeting the events of March 11 were reviewed and consequences islative Assembly and Mohammad Ali of Bogra, the member of East Bengal Legislative Khwaja Nastullah, the private secretary of Nuzimuddin met Kamruddin Ahmed, the — 9 Ibid., 79-80. 49 The Aesrita Bazar Pairiha, 13 Masch. 1948. 41 thi. 42 Badruddin Umar, Bhasha Andolos, Metta $3 Tae Amrita Bazar Patrtha, 14 March 1948- 45 ibid. 14 March 1948, The Naubelal, 19 Monch 1988 Umar (ec), Bdasha Anolon Prasaaga; The 45 Tajudain Ahmed, Diary, 14 March 1948; Amrita Bazar Pasriha, 16 Masch, 1948, Scanned with CamScannerMme} LANGUAGE MOVEMENT 361 leader of the Action Committee in the morning of March 15 and informed him that Nazimuddin would like to talk to the members of the National Language Action Committee at 11-30 that moming. At 10-30 am, an emergency meeting of the National Language Action Committee was held at Fazlul Huq Hall of the Dhaka University. At that meeting Chief Minister Nazimuddin’s proposal for a discussion with the Action Committee was accepted and the points to be discussed were also decided. A draft of the proposals was prepared by Kamruddin Ahmed. The draft proposals were also adopted at that meeting at the Fazlul Huq Hall.*6 At the appointed time Kamruddin Ahmed, Mohammad Toaha, Abul Kashem, Naimuddin Ahmad, Syed Nazrul Islam, Aziz Ahmad and Abdur Rahman Choudhury reached the Burdwan House. Before the discussion started Nazimuddin proposed that Aziz Ahmad, the Chief Secretary of the Provincial Government should be present at the discussion. But the Action Committee objected to that and the meeting at last took place without Aziz Ahmad.47 Heated discussions took place between Nazimuddin and the Action Commitee representatives, Nazimuddin refused to accept certain proposals. He expressed that he had no objection to declare Bangla the state language of East Pakistan, to declare it as the language to be used at courts and at educational institutions but he was strongly opposed to the demand for Bangla to be made the state language of Pakistan. He declared that the Provincial Government could jot take this decision because it was a matter to be decided by the Central Government. Regarding banning of the Ittehad, the Ananda Bazar Patrika, the Amrita Bazar Patrika, the Jugantar and the Swadhinata, Nazimuddin said that those papers were banned because of demanding Bangla as the state language and for publishing anti-Pakistani Propaganda. The Action Committee had placed the proposal that none in government service involved in the language movement should be subject to harassment. Nazimuddin’s opinion in this matter was that if Government officials joined anti-government demonstrations it would be difficult to run the administration. As the movement developed it was declared, to gather public symathy, that the agitation was being led by anti-state elements. This had been announced by Nazimuddin over radio late evening on March 14, The Action Committee demanded an apology from those associated with this sort of motivated propaganda against the language activists. It was asserted emphatically that the language movement was not led by anti-state people. Heated discussions went on in the meeting which lasted for several hours. ‘The members of the Action Committee remained rigid in their demands and Nazimuddin agreed in the end to accept all their proposals including making an 47 Badruddin Umar, Bhasha Andolon, Vol. 1, 82. 48 Ibid., 83-84. Scanned with CamScannerrr Pb 362 HISTORY OF BANGLADESH modi Nazimuddin apology. However, the last of the eight proposals was ified by Nazi himself 4? ‘The eight point agreement signed between the A was as follows: 1 Those arrested on February 29, 1948 associated with the language movement were 2. fier enquiring into the incidents of police atrocities the Chief Minister himself ld give a report within a month. + ‘The people of Dhaka gave Jinnah 2 formal reception at the Race Course Maidan on * March 21. In the aftemoon that day Jinnah spoke for about an hour on language issue and the language movement. He said, ‘About language, as I have already said, this is in order to create disruption amongst th ‘Musaimans, Your Prime Minister has rightly pointed this out in a recent statement and I ‘am glad that his Government has decided to put down firmly any attempt to disturb the peace of this province by political saboteurs or their agents. Whether Bengali shall be the official language of this province is a matter for the elected representatives of the people of this province to decide. 1 have no doube that this question shall be decided solely in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants of this province at the appropriate time.55 Speaking in favour of Urdu as the state language, Jinnah said, Let me tell you ia the clearest language that there is no truth that your normal life & going t0 be touched or disturbed so far as your Bengali lmguage is concemed. Bu! ultimately it is for you, the people of this province, to decide what shall be the Languast of your province, But let me make it very clear to you that the State language of Paks! is going to be Urdu and no other language. Any one who tries to mislead you is really enemy of Pakistan. Without one state language, no astion can remain Ged up solid together and function. Look at the history of other countries. Therefore, so far as the s2# langnage is concerned, Pakistan's language shall be Unda. Bit, as I have said, t ## come in time 56 ee 53 bid, 54 Ibid., 86-87, SS Ibid, 105, 36 Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Alt Jinnah's Speeches as Governor General, Karachi. 89- Scanned with CamScannerP64 264 HISTORY OF BANGLADESH bonour in the morning of March 5 ‘eset ts epnion raped ee AEs eeption the fe of he nan Ee Course Maidan. Some students chouted ‘nl na’ 90 hen ee em the Race 7 Fam in his opinion regarding the sue sees! finnah"s decree. But he remained 5 Jinnah, however, agreed to meet a group of a . i fetioe Committee in the evening fa mena Ramey oe National Language sn a Hug, ~ a a ng representatives included de saneal fe Kamruddin oon Kashem, Tejsin Abed, Ly Khan, sa Syed Nz Shmad, Naimuddin Ahmad, Shamsul Alam, Oli Abad and i Syed Nazral Islam. Timah i 7 aa : ma told them that he did not accept the terms agreed upon by re y addin becense Chief Minister was placed in a tight comer and he was fx forced under the circumstance to accept the conditions. Jinnah told the Action wi Committee emphatically that Urdu alone would be the state language of Pakistan. rei Heated discussions went on and Jinnah broke the meeting off earlier than the an scheduled time.** During this meeting the National Language Action Committee af presented 2 memorandum to Jinnah demanding Bangla as the state Janguage.5? ry After Jinnah had left, the East Bengal Legislative Assembly was in session again Su from Apri! 6, 1948. On this day Chief Minister Khwaja Nazimuddin modified broke est off the conditions he had agreed upon earlier and advanced the following proposals: In : 0 1. In East Bengal Bengali was to be accepted as the official language in place of he English. rel 2. The medium of education in East Bengal was to be Bangla or ar applicable to the Su mother-tongue of the majority of the students at the respective instimntion.© tol There was strong objection and tumult in the Assembly 2s Nazimuddin expressed Th such proposals but referring to Jinnah's speech Nazimuddin refused to withdraw his ce oan short while after tho Ian; fa Although the students’ movement subsided for a short whi guage tha movernent in 1948 other movements on economic, political and cultaral problems ‘Un began to be organized. The Muslim League government could not solve any problem pre like searcity of food, housing or health care, Protests against the government sarod a within a year of i . Arrests were made, newspapers banned, new tax ps Were imposed and various other repressive measures were taken by the Muslim no League government. There were intra-party feos sr faction in the Moat 00° =4 a —__—_—_——- 6 31 id. 3 St Badruddin Umar, Bhasha Andolon, Vol. 1, 109-111- | 59 Ibid, 111-113. a D the Dally Jugarsar, 2 Ap! 1948. 1.6 Ages, 1948, 57. Oh Cao Dergt Ropilcive Aaseably Proceedings Vol 1 Tharniy Scanned with CamScannerLANGUAGE MOVEMENT 365 party during this time. Under such a situation those in Power guarded against the Suhrawardy-Abul Hashim faction which was known for its left inclinations from making either any hold inside the party or forming a new one. In the year 1948 the officers employed at the central goverment called for a cighteen day strike starting from April 8 demanding financial and other benefits. The students of the Dhaka Medical College presented a memorandum Pressing their demands which were summarily rejected by the authority. Thirty-two medical students went on hunger strike from April 18.62 The striking students got divided into several groups and staged sit-in demonstrations for several days in front of the residences of the Health Minister, Habibullah Bahar and the General Surgeon and in front of the Mitford Hospital. The students broke off their hunger strike on April 27 when the authority accepted to meet their demands. There was protest against a renewed imposition of sales tax against which people and the shop-keepers of Dhaka and various places of East Bengal called a general strike on April 26. In the aftemoon of that day a meeting was held at Armanitola play-ground demanding repealing of the tax. Subrawardy, a strong rival of Nazimuddin arrived in Dhaka on June 3, 1948 to establish communal harmony and to check the exodus of the minority community to India. Apprehending that Suhrawardy would be a potential trouble maker to his new government Nazimuddin intemed him and was informed that he would be released if he was prepared to leave Dhaka immediately. Suhrawardy agreed to do so and was Teleased by the Provincial Government. He at once left Dhaka for Kolkata.6 Suhrawardy was a member of the Pakistan Legislative Assembly when he was forced to leave East Bengal. : ‘The students of Dhaka University called a meeting on June 3, 1948 at the campus to discuss about the over-all situation in the province and the problem of the shortage of teachers. Around 1947 the majority of the teachers of Dhaka University were Hindus and most of the senior teachers who left Dhaka after the Partition were from that community. There was, therefore, acute shortage of teachers at the Dhaka ‘University. The students on behalf of the East Pakistan Muslim Students League Presented a memorandum in which they made demands like (1) basic salary of teachers which was to be increased from Rs. 150 to 250; (2) the retiring age of the teachers was to be raised to 60 years as in all other universities; (3) there should be no bias on grounds of religion in matters of appointment and promotion; (4) Badruddin Umar, Bhasha Andoton, Vol. 1 153-158. Fe Maabeah 22 Api 968; Todds Dar, 27 Ape, 1948 in Badrudin Unt (od), Basha Andolon Prasanga. Ibid., 26 April, 1948, The Daily Azad, 10 Apri, 1948. Re 898 Scanned with CamScannere< £4 immediate appointments should be made of qualified and experienced Cae in vacant posts, (5) demands of the teachers must be met immediately: (6) those teachers who had decided to leave the University must be persuaded immediately to stay ‘on67 ‘The employees of the lower pay scale mostly the fourth class workers of the Dhaka University had declared a month ahead to call a strike from March 3, 1949. This strike of the employees had a close link with the student movement. During this movement some students of the Dhaka University were expelled, some were fined and some interned. With the strike of employees and students the mavement gathered anew momentum.§8 Another significant incident in 1948 was the strike called by the police force. The police had not been paid salaries for one and half month. A large section of police constables appeared on the streets of Dhaka and demonstrated on July 14 demanding their due pay packets. To bring the situation under control the government called in the army which cordoned the police at Lalbagh Police Line. There was clash between the army and the police and in this exchange of fire two policemen were killed and one injured.70 366 HISTORY OF BANGLADESH Conspiracy against Bangla included an attempt by the Central Government to introduce Arabic script for Bangla. The chief exponent of this policy was Fazlur Rahman, a representative from East Bengal to the Central Government. He issued statements and argued at different meetings that in order to maintain integrity of Pakistan and to establish a strong and meaningful relation between the people of the two wings there should be a similarity in the scripts of all languages of Pakistan. The conspiracy to change scripts took a stronger shape in 1949. From April 18, 1950 twenty centres were started by the Central Education Office in various districts of East Bengal to give primary education to adults in Arabic scripts. A government source informed that in each education centre there were about twenty-five to thirty students who would be receiving such education for six months.7! ‘The Central Government sanctioned Rs. 35,000 for the education of adults in 1949 and next year the amount was increased to Rs. 67,764. The whole amount was spent in East Bengal to implement the project of tuming Bengali script into Arabic. A list of Bangla reference books was prepared, which were to be printed in Arabic script at the expense of the Central Government.”2 An Announcement was made on behalf of 61 Mid., L July, 1948. 68 hid. 69 Badruddin Umar, Bhasha Andolon, Vot. I, 193-194. 70 Tajuddin’s Diary, 14 July, 1948 in Badrudin Umar (ed), Bhasha Andolon Prasang: '. P ‘71 The Daily Azad, 15 July, 1948. * ™ 2 72 Ibid., 24 May, 1950. Scanned with CamScannerLANGUAGE MOVEMENT 36, the Central Government that awards would be given to those who wrote Bangly books in Arabic script. Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah, a member of the East Bengal Language Reform Commitee issued a statement on October 4, 1950 against attempts to teach Bangla jn ‘Arabic sctipt.”3 In September the East Bengal Language Committee was formed under the Presidentship of Maulana Akram Khan who declared in a report that attempts to introduce Bangla language in Arabic script must be stopped for at least next twenty years. Nevertheless, attempts by the Pakistan Government to change the Bangla alphabet continued for sometime. This conspiracy was not limited to introducing Arabic script. Some sections of the people demanded Arfabic to be made the state language of Pakistan.74 a. Another plot against Bangla language was the attempt to reform Bangla language. The East Bengal Government formed the East Bengal Language Committee on March 9, 1949 in order to discuss the practicability of simplifying the Bangla language.’5 Manlana Akram Khan was appointed President of this committee. Among the members were Dr. Mohammad Sbahidullah, Habibullah Bahar, Dr. Moazzam Hossain, Maulana Abdullahel Baqui, Syed Abdul Hasnat, Mohammad Ismail, Abul Kalam Shamsuddin, Shoikh Sharafuddin, Golam Mostafa and others.76 On December 6, 1950 this committee prepared the final report and submitted it to the Education Secretary of the East Bengal Government.77 ‘There was some lull in the language movement after 1948, Subsequently economic hardship which affected the peasants, workers and the lower middle class and political repression created a new dimension which had a great impact on the language movement. A brief summary of the situation and political events of East Bengal between the years 1947-48 and 1952 is relevant at this point Food sitation in Bast Bengal worsened from August 1947. Cordon system was introduced by the government in August to collect grains in order to meet the domestic needs. Of the 17 districts eight had surplus produce. The East Bengel government hoped to collect grains from there and supply those to the deficit areas. By doing so they hoped to solve the food shortage and at the same time to stabilise the price of rice. Although grain was collected by cordon system there was no proper means to supply those to the deficit areas. Inefficient management by the administration and communication problem were the main reasons for the crisis. 73 Bid 14 Ibid. 1S. Ibid, 4 October, 1950. 16 The Daily Azad, 23 January .1950; 29 April, 1950; 10 February ,1951. rt) 7 Report ofthe Eas Bengal Language Committe, 14S, Oca on Spc Dy Glos DPA Scanned with CamScanner6k 368 HISTORY OF BANGLADESH Severs food shortage between the years 1947 and 1951 was the main reason for the spread of anti-government {feeling in the interior of the country during the language movement. Between 1948 and 1950 anti-government movements by the peasants were organized in many of the di but peasant movements in Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rajshahi took rebellious tum, ‘The Hajongs in Mymensingh led a movement for the abolition of tonk. The Nankars of Sylhet protested against the nankar system. The Santal peasants of Nacho! area of Rajshahi rebelled against the local land-holders, As a result of these movements the East Bengal government abolished the practice of tonk and nankar in 1950,79 Like the peasants, the workers throughout East Bengal started ceaseless movements from 1947 against the price hike, food scarcity and low wages. The labourers at tea gardens, railway workers and employees, workers at textile mills, cement factory and # ports and docks called occasional strikes and organized sporadic demonstrations. Since there was litle development in the industrial sector, the number of industrial workers was almost the same as during the British period. Nonetheless, Cissatisfaction of the workers and strikes called by them contributed to building up anti-government feeling in the provinoe.® 5 a F 4 to 6, 1950 in support of Primary school teachers called a token strike from March in 0 their demands. But since the goverment did sot pay much attention to their demands they called strike for an indefinite period from April 1, 1950. Supporting this wri geaal people also arranged meetings and demonstrations along with the -achers. emment refused to accept the demands of the teachers the ae Cee eee The strive was called off on June 2. Although thesia t called by the teachers failed to achieve any of thelr demands POPs Fa ao Walks of life were angry and criticised the government for is —S 78 Ibid, 2-3. je ol. 2, 1-126. 79 Ibid, 115 Andolon 0 Tatkalin Rajaiti (Dhaka 1975), Ve 2% Badruddin Umar, Purba Banglar Bhasha. 1 Ibid, 184-314, Scanned with CamScanner ALR SRAI TAM ENO MME MANNJauuesguieg yim pauuess “6LES9ET TOA“ 1g “ece-zee eeste 1 1 98 SOUC TOA PMT zB a ote eg Stystopesy Aureg 2p Jo peo A194 gures9q Ausnpesd yoy pedsows on8eoy uyjsnyy om opisuy daow®, uonisoddo ue yee ¥ sy ‘saiyod oanesiururpe si} UI Aatpi3u anuAUoO pmoo reBuag wey Jo m9GMZaA03 SUI SUOISTAIP-Gas PUR SIOMNSIP SHOUA Jo siapesy onde] UNISNIAL Oy) puE saxo anges] WISN JO spuEsnoy ayy JO sUUsIONUD azenes Jo ands wy AYM poure[dxe STL “SounSar onder] wysny voRAred-asd ayy jo iN UY sa1oyod yuoururACT ue vonenstunupe jje10A0 sy) ut ajor r8uoNs A[Sussaxout ue pey iwoUNLIACS 1eSusg ise jo Aowsonzamg oWp Bujoq o1uy sures usr SEN aU Wor “uoMTUZIACT 3mm 4q uoysseaddo seus sopun sures onBeo] uN ain ui dno Zuquassip a PaUIOy OYM Bs0KN Pue sAIssaxdoud oy Jo UONDEs aBzE] Y “sWepmMs om pue sraquicur Aueg ysiununuod oj permit jou sem uorssaiddo iuswusero8 poued snp Zuimq 98°€S6I ‘I 2990190 0} popusx> Sem uonesado sit pus ¢ JeqWIOAON UO PorseUD Seas 31 194 ‘I[IG Sy suTee smaowd yoru Sem asoun yBNOUNY “IS6T FOQUIDAON UE MET AJeS o11qUq YO AiquEssy eAnRsIET] [eBueg iseq oy) Ie poonpoyut sem TTIq Y gg Padresqo sem Aeqy uorssaiday-pay sonia AsO UE pue eXeUCT UT 1129 9Ip peudoddns uopesepay sWEpTag YL “EPS ‘g ArenUEL uo keq uotssuday-yuy opimuoneu x pajjeo onde7] siwepmg Umsred iseq ied ‘suorssarddo osoip ysureZe ysojoud ur suonensuowiap ozfueBio Of, Ailqeoo] aansedsar atop pue suonmpsuy [euopeonpe oy wow pofadxe 40 paysaue raIpIa atom jeSuog 1Seq JO seare Joio pue exEYC] Jo sjuapmys Jo spaspuny ByGI Aq WouruFAACD om go ued aip uo sonoed sejnZox © gue9q siuopMAs SuSE Jo UoIssaddo /HG1 WOLL ve ONS JaSuny vo 2am Loy usym udAS Way UO PaIDILYyU! sem AMYOL “Gygl UE HEY puw iyeystey yo siref yenusD opisut siauosud ystunumuod amy Jo ampo) ysurese isnod ur sayins so3uny 103 popes ssauosyid feontjod jo spospuny{ “OSGI “pz INdy vo wef ryeysfey at poussiur us9q pey oy Auneg IsTUNMNIOD om Jo sT9quIoNE U2Aes POL Aoypne wowrw2A0 ¢g‘PoIA som suuseed Bupsisar AuL wwourtr2A0d oun Aq worssasdas Jo spury 1ye J9pun 1yZnosg osye ai9m 1yEYsfry VYKs ‘YSuIsUIUIA 4H Somnstp ur veg rsiununuod oui Aq pot auoM YOIYA StuoUI9AONI IEsEAd : zqoNOD WuoMIUIOAOT op ysUTEY ounns|saE poziurfio 2jdoed uownos jo uonesedo-oo am yn siodedsmou jo sioumo puy sustjewmof ay,1, “uouuoa a1om sainswoUs dAtssaidax seyRUIS puv sys}Teumof! pur s101;P> JO Ssoue ‘uy jo uontsoduyy ‘Sugupd jo uorsuadsng “syoee Jeymus Jopun sua sonred uomisoddo ain jo seopt Zuissosdxo ssodedsmau suopemSas yous sopun suTE> Say]¥2am ay JO 180M YBNOINTY “gP6T Woy siodedsmou BaxZed parms wowsw:2.A0 69€ LNAWAAOW dOVNONVT (a we we wevwssee tv ; is faced similar consequences. With Newspapers supporting the Muslim League also faced stm. the clightect hint of anti-government feeling printed in any nev Sp\pet the govemment termed it communist and took repressive measures against it though severe demonstrations did not take place instantly, an anti-government movement was smouldering through various demonstrations and spontaneous agitation. ‘According to a resolution of the Constituent Assembly a Conunittee for determining basic principles of the future Constitution was formed on March 12, 1949. This Committee submitted a report to the Constituent Assembly for the interim period on September 28, 1950. In this report the proposals that were made were intended to deny adequate autonomy to East Bengal. There were strong protests in East Bengal against those proposals. Not only the opposition party and the press did protest against these proposals, the Muslim League supporters and the newspapers also protested against the Central Government. An Action Committee known as the ‘Central Committee for Democratic Federation was formed in order to protest against the proposal of the Basic Principles Committee and to organize extensive demonstrations. This Action Committee called for a provincial conference in Dhaka on November 4 and 5, 1950. At this conference some alternative administrative policies were proposed. On behalf of the Democratic Federation a call was made to the students and people of East Bengal to arrange rallies i eae cam Bt and processions to protest ee 1 igainst the Proposals made by the Basic Principles Committee. The University Action Committee also called a strike on that day. Studi d ele of Dhaka and different places of Bast Bengal eee fe a lemo i i i ‘ mes an sore a ae aaa) eee of the Basic Principles Committee. Pakistan F worried al the protests and demonstrations in East re ae ‘on November 21, 1950 to suspend its discussion tem; a pene ly. Demonstration against constituti ly at the te, 7 onstitutional changes was a }; ii mocratic movement in East Bengal since i a eekee cee aa ae ngal since it brought a significant ch: i tude of the people particularly of the middle class. seamen) From August 1947, oppressions and ex Muslim League Government increased 370 HISTORY OF BANGLADESH Scanned with CamScannerail \ r . LANGUAGE MOVEMENT 37) thé proposals of 8 This was the situation when *S Of the and the bureaucracy: ra Constituent Assembly were Published jn 5 tee Is were made sortantly realized that the proposal: by 1950. The people ba ost Bengal”? Having realised that the provincia) CrP be Central Government they now directed thy government was the eee constitutional xights against the Central Governmen, a sat Goverment responsible for all exploitations and oppressions People held the Con constitutional and democratic rights. and organized movement for 48 ’ 5 movement in 1948 remained ‘The Action Committee formed during the language OM” F inactive for the next few years. Like every year National Language Day was Sbeerved on March 11, 1951. On this day students held a meeting presided over by Khaleq Newaz Khan at the Dhaka University campus. Decision’ was taken at this meeting to revive the Action Committee for the language movement and the Dhaka Gniversity National Language Committee was formed with Abdul Matin as its convener. A fow days after Flag Day was celebrated to collect fund and a temporary committee was formed to prepare a memorandum demanding Bangla as the state language which was to be presented to the members: of the Constituent Assembly. The deaft proposals prepared by this commitee were reviewed and accepted at the meeting of National Language Action Committee presided over by Habibur Rahman Shelly, According to the decision taken at this meeting the memorandum was printed and sent to the members of Pakistan Constiuent Assembly and to al] newspapers in Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated at Rawalpindi + Perea in was appointed the Prime Minister of Paki eee es the end of Js i 5 lin came to january 1952 as Prime Minister and. spoke at a public meeting at 50 is 378-379, 1 Bia, Scanned with CamScannerYu 372 HISTORY OF BANGLADESH and cary on the language movement in a renewed spirit. In the meeting a decision was taken to call a strike at all educational institutions of the province on February 4. tthe end of the mecting the students brought out processions and marched through different areas of Dhaka city.92 ‘The day after this meeting at the University Kazi Golam Mahbub, on behalf of the East Pakistan Muslim Students League called for an all-party meeting at the Dhaka Bar Library Hall on January 31, This meeting was presided over by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, the President of the Awami Muslim League and attended by members of National Language Action Committee and other political parties and students’ organizations. At this meeting protests were made against the comments made on the issue of state language by Khwaja Nazimuddin at the Paltan maidan and immediate withdrawal of such comments was demanded. In another proposal demand was made to stop the plan to introduce Arabic script for Bangla language. The University National Language Cammittee decided to call a strike on February 4. ‘At the Bar Library meeting an All-Party National Language Action Committee was formed with Kazi Golam Mahbub as convener and Maulana Bhasani, Abul Hashim, Ataur Rahman Khan, Kamruddin Ahmed, Shamsul Hug, Mohammad Toaha, Oli Ahad, Abdul Matin and Khaleg Newaz Khan as members.°> Strike was observed at all educational institutions including Dhaka University on February 4 and after the strike students came in processions and gathered at the Dhaka University campus. A meeting was held presided over by Gazi-ul-Hug. Abdul Matin, Kazi Golam Mahbub and other student leaders spoke at this meeting against Khwaja Nazimuddin's speech at the Paltan maidan and demanded to materialise the agreement signed in 1948. At this meeting the Dhaka University National Language Committee was formally made # branch of the All-Party National Language Action Committee. An announcement was made by the government earlier that the session for East BengaYAssembly would be held on February 20. With that in mind the students at the meeting on February 4 took the decision to call for a provincewide general strike on February 21 demanding Bengali as the state language. After the meeting thousands of students came out of the University campus and proceeded towards Chief Minister Nurul Amin's residence chanting slogans. From there they crossed Patatuli, Armanitola, Nazimiddin Road and came back to the University campus. In the moming of February 4 a decision was taken by the All-Pay National Language Action Committee to call a province-wide general strike on February 21, In that meeting Maulana Bhasani, Abul Hashim end other members of 93 The Moming News, 28 January 1952; The Naubelal, 31 January, 1952. 94 The Pakistan Observer, 90 January 1952: The Morning News, 31 Senuary, 1952, Scanned with CamScannerLANGUAGE MOVEMENT 373 the All-Party National Language Action Committee present there resolved to continue the struggle until Bangla was recognised as the state language of Pakistan.°5 Strike was observed almost everywhere in the province on February 4.96 ‘A meeting of the All-Party National Language Action Committee was held at the * ‘Awami Muslim League office at 94 Nawabpur Road at 5 p. m. on February 20. Abul Hashim presided over the meeting. While this meeting was going on, an announcement was made over loud speaker through the city streets that for thirty days from February 20 the District Magistrate of Dhaka had imposed Section 144 (banning meetings, processions etc.) in the Dhaka city. This announcement was also made over radio. The announcement of the government order brought a quick shift to the whole situation. At the meeting of the All-Party National Language Action Committee on February 20 prohibitory orders by the government was the only subject of discussion and heated debates took place among members whether to defy the government order or not on February 21. Majority of the members including Abul Hashim, Kamruddin Ahmed, Khairat Hossain, Shamsul Hug. Mohammad Toaha, Kazi Golam Mahbub, Abdus Samad pleaded for peaceful agitation without violating the government order. They argued that violation of the government order would create such disruption in the country that the ensuing election would be cancelled and if the election was suspended or delayed for an indefinite period that would be a greater stake for democracy. The government did not hold general elections in the country since 1947. They also argued that since the National Language Action Committee was not organized provincewide and since it had no formal organizational structure once the government order was violated the resulting ‘situation would be out of its contro}. Supporting violation of the government order Oli Abad and Abdul Matin among others argued that if the government order was not violated it would mean surrender to government repressions and an end to the language movement let alone the progress of the movement.27 While the All-Party National Language Action Committee was having discussions on this issue the Dhaka University National Language Committee also held its Toeeting at the Salimullah Muslim Hall. Decision was taken at this meeting in favour of violating the government order and this decision was informed at the meeting of All-Party National Language Action Committee. Referring to this decision Oli Ahad and Matin said that the importance of Dhaka University National Language Committee was the most in respect of the movement. They maintained that their decision to defy the government order must be accepted by the All-Party National 95 The Morning News, 1 February, 1952; The Daily Azad, | February. 1952. 96 The Naubelal. 14 February 1952; Gazi-ul Huq, Ekusher Shankalan, 1980, Dhaka, 235; The Moming Nows, 5 February, 1952, ‘Hasan Hafizir Rahman (ed), Elusher Itihash (History of Twenty-first February), 2nd edition, Dhaka, 223, ” Scanned with CamScanner*HY con tft Jate at night and 374 HISTORY OF BANGLADESH Language Action Committee.98 Argument on this issve went ‘te of this the final decision was taken not to defy the goverament ae Rey cat a decision the Dhaka University National Language Commines Svould be taken at ultimate decision whether to violate the government order or ae D the meeting to be held in the moming of February 21. a ittee if on Language Action Committee expressed its decision to dissolve pone ear the next day the University National Language Committee a 1 Hug and goverment order. The Committee also decided that on its behalf Shams™ eeazs Kazi Golam Mahbub would declare the decision of the All-Party National ae The Action Committee at the meeting of the University students on Sr organising commitee ofthe Pakistan Communist Party in Bast Benge) Mooe o cyclostyled pamphlet on February 20 with messages urging the peop Sal the call of the All-Party National Language Action Committee and to support a for provincewide strike, hartal, meetings and processions on February 21 aed an equal status for Bangla with other languages and to make Bangla the only language of Pakistan.100 From early moming of February 21 students started picketting at various places of the Dhaka city. But ‘the students stopped picketing and retumed towards oe University. From 9 a. m. students from all over the city assembled at the University and their number increased rapidly. A large number of police was stationed at the University Arts Building. Tension mounted as the students got agitated at the sight of. the police force.!0! Around 10 a. m. the University campus was almost packed and a meeting took place at the Amicla presided over by Gazi-ul-Hug. According to the decision of the All- Party National Language Action Committee taken earlier when Shamsul Huq and Kazi Golam Mahbub started to explain the reasons for not violating the government order banning meetings and processions etc. the students expressed anger and made clear that they were not prepared to accept the decision of the All-Party National Language Action Committee and were determined to violate the government order, 102 Besides Shamsvl Hug and Kazi Golam Mahbub those who spoke against the Violation of the government order at the meeting on the moming of February 21 were Mohammad ‘Toaha and Khaleq Newaz. Opposing this decision Abdul Matin declared that in order to make the movement successful it was essential to violate the — 98 The Weekly Inefag, 10 February, 1952. 99 Badruddin Umar, Purba. in Raj = Does Banslar Bhasha Andolon 0 Tathalin Rajniti, Vol, 3, 254-261, 101 bid. 102 Badruddin Umar. Bhasha Andolon Prasanga: Kotipoy Dali, Vol. 1,313. Scanned with CamScanner