Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday denounced attempts to undermine the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the historic Language Movement.
"Bangabandhu was jailed for waging the Language Movement. Why was he in jail (at that time) if he had no contribution?" she asked.
The premier said this after conferring the 'Ekushey Padak 2023' to 19 eminent personalities and two organizations in recognition of their contributions to the 1952 language movement, art, culture, journalism and journalism.
She handed over the Ekushey Padak, the country's second highest civilian award, at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
Hasina said the 'Joy Bangla' slogan, which inspired the freedom fighters to make their supreme sacrifice, and the historic 7th March speech were banned after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib in 1975.
"Actually his name was obliterated from history. Not only that, his contribution to the Language Movement was erased," she said, adding that even some scholars said he had no contribution since he was in jail at that time.
The PM said Bangabandhu was arrested on three occasions within months after the emergence of Pakistan as a country. Arrested in 1949, he was not released until February 27, 1952, she noted.
While he was in jail, student leaders used to meet him and received his instructions regarding the Language Movement, she said adding that it can be learnt reading the books 'Oshomapto Attojiboni' (Unfinished Memories) of Bangabandhu and 'Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Bangabandhu.'
The specific dates, names of student leaders who met Bangabandhu and his role during the Language Movement can largely be learnt from the 113-130 pages of the Volume-II of the secret documents book.
The PM extended her sincere thanks to the awardees and noted personalities.
The Cultural Affairs Ministry organised the event on the occasion of ‘Amar Ekushey’ and International Mother Language Day.
Among the award recipients, Khaleda Manzoor-e Khuda, freedom fighter AKM Shamsul Haque (posthumous), and Haji Mohammad Majibor Rahman received the award for their roles in the Language Movement.
Masud Ali Khan and Shimul Yusuf received the prestigious award for their contributions in Acting, while Manoranjan Ghoshal, Gazi Abdul Hakim and Fazal-e-Khuda (posthumous) in Music, Jayanta Chattopadhyay for Recitation, Nawazish Ali Khan for Shilpakala (Arts), and Kanak Chanpa Chakma for Painting.
Besides, Momtaz Uddin (posthumously) was given the award in the Liberation War category, Md Shah Alamgir (posthumously) in Journalism, Dr Md Abdul Majid in Research, Professor Dr Mazharul Islam (posthumously) in Education, Saidul Haque in Social Service, Advocate Manzurul Islam (posthumously) and Akhter Uddin Mia (posthumously) in Politics, and Dr Mohammad Moniruzzaman in Language and Literature.
Bangladesh National Museum received the award in the category of education and Bidyananda Foundation in Social Service.
Each awardee received a gold medal, a certificate of honour, and a cheque of Tk 4 lakh.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid chaired the award giving ceremony, while Cabinet Secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain conducted it and read out the citations of the award recipients.
Cultural Affairs Secretary Md. Abul Monsur delivered the welcome address.
The Ekushey Padak was introduced in the memory of the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement.
