Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid homage by placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar today. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, marking the great Martyrs' Day and the International Mother Language Day.

He paid homage by placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city at 12:08 am today.

The premier arrived on the Shaheed Minar premises 12.04am.

He proceeded to the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar in slow pace while playing the historic immortal song on the Amar Ekushey "Amar Vaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February . . . Ami Ki Bhulite Pari?"

After placing the wreath, Tarique Rahman, also chairman of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the Language Movement heroes.

On the occasion, special prayer was offered seeking forgiveness for the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, 1971 Liberation War, 1990 Anti-autocracy Movement and 2024 July Uprising.

Special prayer was also offered seeking divine blessings for Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

The prayer also sought welfare for the country and success for the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Later, flanked by cabinet members and BNP Standing Committee members, the premier placed two wreaths at the Shaheed Minar on behalf of his cabinet and the party.

The Prime Minister also placed another wreath at the Shaheed Minar along with his family members.

Before the premier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city at one minute past midnight tonight.

Later, Chief Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan paid homage to the Language Movement martyrs.

Besides, opposition party leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman along with 11-party alliance leaders also paid tribute to the Language Movement martyrs by placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar.

The ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners, Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, acting Attorney General, Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC), Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), University Grants Commission (UGC), Fire Service and Civil Defence, Dhaka University (DU) authorities, Bangladesh Police, Bangla Academy, Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) were among others who paid tributes to the Language Movement martyrs.

Later, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public when hundreds of people from all walks of life walked barefoot with flowers in hands and humming "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February" to recall the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in 1952.