Bangladesh originated from movement for Bangla as national language of East Pakistan:Pranab Mukherje

[Black_cats]

Bangladesh originated from movement for Bangla as national language of East Pakistan: Pranab Mukherjee
PTI | Feb 7, 2019, 20:36 IST

PTI
File photo

KOLKATA: Former President

Pranab Mukherjee
said on Thursday that the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 had its origin in a movement that sought to recognise Bangla as the official language of erstwhile East Pakistan.


Those who took part in the Bangladesh liberation movement 48 years ago had one slogan in their mind - to make Bangla the national language of the then eastern part of Pakistan, Mukherjee said after inaugurating a three-day literature festival at the ongoing International Kolkata Book Fair.


The existing literature suggests that Urdu used to be the official language of East Pakistan after partition and the natives of that region were fighting to make their mother tongue Bangla the official language.



The Sheikh Mujibur Rahman-headed movement ultimately led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, Mukherjee said.


The 83-year-old statesman said people must accord due respect to Bangla language -- which is one of the most spoken languages in West Bengal and Bangladesh.


He said that nearly 20 crore people speak Bangla in West Bengal and Bangladesh.


On being felicitated by the organisers of the book fair and the literary festival
for getting Bharat Ratna, Mukherjee said, "I don't know how much I deserve this honour."

Mukherjee was recently conferred the country's highest civilian award along with Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Nanaji Deshmukh and Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika.


The former president paid tributes to the rich legacy of Bengali literature. He said almost 600 years ago, a Bengali poet had spoken on the issues of human rights and freedom.


Poet Chandidas had expressed the sublime truth of humanity in a very simple form, in very few words through his universal lines "Sabar opore manush sotto tahar opore nai" (Man is above everything, humanity is greater than everything, nothing exists beyond that)," he said in his speech.


Sixty-six guests from 10 countries, including India, are attending the three-day literary meet which will have 24 sessions covering literature, contemporary issues and different areas of the arts.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.time...pranab-mukherjee/amp_articleshow/67887998.cms

 

[Bilal9]

Urdu and Bangla were both decreed as National languages in the constitution of United Pakistan which finally changed in 1973.

 

[Mage]

Urdu and Bangla were both decreed as National languages in the constitution of United Pakistan.

That's after the language movement. At first they wanted only Urdu to be national language.

What Pranab Mukherjee said is 100% right. Language movement was the first instance of Bengali Nationalism in Pakistan period.

 

[Saiful Islam]

Urdu and Bangla were both decreed as National languages in the constitution of United Pakistan which finally changed in 1973.

I believe there was elitist elements that couldn't take the fact that Bengali was not the sole language.

That's after the language movement. At first they wanted only Urdu to be national language.

What Pranab Mukherjee said is 100% right. Language movement was the first instance of Bengali Nationalism in Pakistan period.

But the 1952 language movement achieved the main goal. There is more than what meets the eye & that is coming from a person who attempts to be as impartial as possible (as of recently tbh).

 

[Mage]

But the 1952 language movement achieved the main goal. There is more than what meets the eye & that is coming from a person who attempts to be as impartial as possible (as of recently tbh).

Yeah. Main goal was achieved. But it was still the first instance of Bengali nationalism in Pakistan. Which had lasting impact.

 

[mb444]

I would agree.

It was outrageous where bengali was the language of the outright majority of the people of united pakistan.... a completely sub-par language like urdu that lacks any pedigree of history or literature but more importantly relevance for the people of the east was attempted to be imposed upon us.

The language movement was the genesis of Bangladesh movement in response to west pakistani attempts at domination.

 

[bluesky]

Bangladesh originated from movement for Bangla as national language of East Pakistan: Pranab Mukherjee

This statement is quite wrong. Indians want us to remain in a make-believe world created by the Indian propaganda machine. This includes also the Language Movement.

During 1952 there was no one who shouted "Pakistan Murdabad" and the issue died out subsequently. It more died when the 1965 Constitution of Pakistan proclaimed "Bengali and Urdu shall be the State languages of Pakistan". No one heard anyone speaking against Urdu except people in the east were demanding Bengali to be made a State Language that meant that it should be the medium of education here.
Now, an Indian politician proclaiming this movement as the source of a separate Bangladesh. There was not even a Bangladesh Movement before the PA military crackdown and bullying in 1971. Why this idiot Pranab Mukherjee does not start a Language Movement in west Bengal to prove his stupid point?
Bangladesh became a separate country because of bickering between the then leaders of two wings and a geographical separation. Language movement had no function in 1971.

 

[El Sidd]

If language classification for Nation States holds true to this day in Bengal, why Bangladesh and West Bengal two different entities?

And Bengali is not the only language spoken in that region either.

It is like modern day equivalent of giving aboriginals a weapon and saying go take Australia back.

 

[maithil]

Interestingly during early days, Urdu was alien to both wings of Pakistan. Yet this was supposed to unify the country and resulted in first mass movement in East-Pakistan.

 

[bluesky]

Yeah. Main goal was achieved. But it was still the first instance of Bengali nationalism in Pakistan. Which had lasting impact.

You are wrong. There was no Bengali nationalism in 1952 and not even in 1971 until the PA troops attacked and killed. I ask you one question. For the sake of debate, just imagine there was no language movement in 1952, and both Bengali and Urdu were recognized as the state languages of Pakistan from day one.

So, my question is, would not there be any war in such a case and the consequent separation of the two wings of Pakistan in 1971? It is a hypothetical situation/question. But, think without emotion and answer it.

 

[Sugarcane]

What Mr. Mukherje have to say about Bengal becoming East Bengal and West Bengal?

 

[Pakhtoon yum]

Interestingly during early days, Urdu was alien to both wings of Pakistan. Yet this was supposed to unify the country and resulted in first mass movement in East-Pakistan.

It did unify the country, but traitor are traitors. They will find something to object about, may they ever suffer for colluding against their people.

 

[Mage]

This statement is quite wrong. Indians want us to remain in a make-believe world created by the Indian propaganda machine. This includes also the Language Movement.

It was the beginning of the chain reaction.

Language movement was important in politics. In 1954 provincial election United front leaders promised to make Bangla an official language. And United front won decisively. Because of this victory, Iskandar Mirza called United front to form govt and later Suhrawardi became president. And Fazlul Haq became chief minister of East Pakistan. Fazlul Haq later established Bangla academy. Mohammed Ali Bogra later passed the legislation to make Bangla an official language alongside Urdu.

One think some people do not know, In West Pakistan there were protests against Making Bangla an official language. Maulana Abdul Haq protested with his supporters against govts decision to make Bangla an official language. These things made people realize the different priorities of two wings.

Later United front govt was dismissed after that Maulana Bhasani openly called succession. It was under United front govt, Mujib rose to prominence. He became the minister of industries. The election also marked the end of Muslim League in East Pakistan. Muslim League got only 9 out of 313 seats. With Muslim League leader Nurul Amin losing to a 27 year old Student leader Choudhury Khalequzzaman.

1952 language movement was closely related to 1954 election. And later 1954 election was important for Bangladesh liberation. United front leaders wanted more autonomy for East Pak. And they were accused of succession movement and later they were ousted from power and military took over. One issue is linked to other.

 

[bluesky]

Language has always been an issue in different countries. In Mukherjee's country, there have been many anti-Hindi agitations since the 1930s.

 

[Mage]

You are wrong. There was no Bengali nationalism in 1952 and not even in 1971 until the PA troops attacked and killed. I ask you one question. For the sake of debate, just imagine there was no language movement in 1952, and both Bengali and Urdu were recognized as the state languages of Pakistan from day one.

So, my question is, would not there be any war in such a case and the consequent separation of the two wings of Pakistan in 1971? It is a hypothetical situation/question. But, think without emotion and answer it.

Already replied to your earlier post.

So, my question is, would not there be any war in such a case and the consequent separation of the two wings of Pakistan in 1971? It is a hypothetical situation/question. But, think without emotion and answer it.

Without military operation, they would have had to handover the power to Sheikh Mujib. He said he was going to implement his 6 points from manifesto. He probably even made alliance with some small parties in West Pakistan to have some political control there. If Mujib was allowed in power than East Pakistan would have gained provincial autonomy. Which can still be seen as a win for Bengali nationalism.

Btw @bluesky if you read about Bangladesh liberation war you will see that the Background always start with 1952 language movement. Language movement is always brought as a reference point in liberation war.