Bengali language movement

The Bengali Language Movement was a political and cultural effort initiated in the early 1950s in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to demand recognition of Bengali as an official state language alongside Urdu. At that time, West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan) sought Urdu-only policies, which marginalized Bengali speakers, who constituted the majority population. The movement gained momentum with protests, strikes, and ultimately, tragic sacrifices—most notably the death of several protesters on February 21, 1952. This struggle fostered a strong sense of identity and laid the groundwork for Bangladesh's independence, emphasizing the importance of linguistic and cultural rights.