The Martyrs' Day and the International Mother Language Day- 2026' was observed today with great enthusiasm. Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS) - The Martyrs' Day and the International Mother Language Day- 2026' was observed today with great enthusiasm amid enormous passion and emotion in Rangpur, paying deep tribute to the language martyrs.
 
The Central Shaheed Minar was bustling with thousands of people who had come to place wreaths at 11:00 pm. The streets surrounding the Central Shaheed Minar were filled with people. 
 
At this time, the timeless song of Amar Ekushey, 'Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February...' was playing in the background. Along with this, the staff in charge of narration narrated the history of the language movement through the microphone.

Thousands of people from all walks of life participated in the programmes chalked out by the district and upazila administrations and other organisations marking the day with patriotic zeal in the metropolis and all eight upazilas of the district.
 
The programmes included hoisting of the national flag at half-mast atop all buildings, educational institutions with the sunrise, decoration of city streets with miniature national and colored-flags inscribed with Bengali alphabets.
 
Besides, competitions on drawing, recitation and essay writing for children were arranged highlighting the importance of the language movement. 
 
Special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of religious worship seeking divine blessings for the departed souls of the language movement martyrs and martyrs of all movements in the country.
      
In Rangpur, the observance began at one minute past midnight with placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar amid huge enthusiasm and tight security measures in the metropolis.
 
Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam with officials of the Rangpur divisional administration first placed wreaths at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar in the city. 
 
Newly elected Member of the Parliament from Rangpur-3 (Sadar and City) Mahbubur Rahman Belal with leaders of the Rangpur District and Metropolitan Jamaat-e-Islami placed wreaths there, offered munajats seeking forgiveness and eternal peace for the departed souls of the language martyrs.
 
Subsequently, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for Rangpur Range of Bangladesh Police Aminul Islam and Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Majid Ali placed wreaths paying homage to the Language Movement Martyrs.
 
The district administration arranged the main discussion at the Distrct Shilpokola Academy auditorium followed by reception to language movement veterans, distribution of prizes and cultural function.
 
With Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan in the chair, Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam addressed the discussion as the chief guest.
    
Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur Medical College, Carmichael College, Begum Rokeya Government College and other educational institutions, sociocultural, political and professional organizations observed the day.