Untold Facts

Language Movement - Reminiscence

I was the tiny de facto secretary of Walipur Primary School in Chandpur, set up by my maternal grandfather. Actually, my maternal uncle was the secretary, but he mostly remained away at his workplace in Chandpur. So I was responsible for most small school errands, such as, keeping custody of the office-cum-library key; school bell, a full moon shaped flat heavy item made of steel etc. I was also to ensure that classrooms were not misused by cattle or farm products during off hours. Everybody cared me.

I recall an event at the school when I was in class 2 or 3. I don’t remember the date, but I now understand it was around 1952.

A heated argument was going on between two groups of teachers. The Headmaster and senior teachers were insisting on holding the classes as usual, but the younger group led by Abdus Sattar ‘sir’ would not allow that. Sattar ‘sir’ was additionally responsible for sports and cultural maters, thus popular among students. We obviously sided with Sattar ‘sir’, without even understanding what the subject of debate was. Our main interest was not to have classes.

Within a short time, some outsiders joined the debate. Finally, Sattar ‘sir’ won. But, he wouldn’t let us go. He made us stand in a long line and gave each a stick of jute straw (Pat-Khari). On top of the long stick was a triangular black flag. Sattar ‘sir’ had them ready beforehand. He then stood in front of the line and putting a tin funnel on his mouth, cried loudly, while we responded equally loudly as told:

“Matri Bhasa (Mother Tongue)”——————-“Bangla Chai (Demanding Bengali)”

“Amader Bhasa (Our Language)”——————-“Bangla Bhasa (Bengali Language)”

“Nurul Aminer (Nurul Amin’s)”——————–“Rakta Chai (Want Blood)”

“Salam, Barkat, Rafiq”——————————–“Zindabad (Long Live)”

Never did I know then who Salam, Barkat, Rafiq were. Never had I heard of Nurul Amin, and understood why we were seeking his blood. I was rather wondering why we were demanding Bengali as our language when that was the tongue we already had. Nonetheless, we were enjoying and having fun.

We continued our loud slogans and made a few rounds of the school compound. Then we proceeded to make rounds of the Walipur village. As we went on, the procession snowballed, gathering villagers on the way. The group that started with some 100 small primary school children, ended up with a crowd of nearly 500 people.

By noontime, we returned to school compound. Sattar ‘sir’ gave a short speech before the crowd. He appeared terribly angry and agitated. Could not understand what he said, but the public seemed to like it. They made lot of noise and cheered him.

By that time we became tired and started thinning out. I cannot remember much anything afterwards.

Today, when I recall the events of that day, I think of Abdus Sattar ‘sir’, his youthful exuberance, his enthusiasm and love for the Bengali culture.

Now I know who Nurul Amin was, I also know who threateningly said, “…….. Urdu, only Urdu shall be the national language of Pakistan……”

Today, I understand why Salam, Barkat, Rafiq and many others had to give their lives. From the stream of their blood, generated the Bengali spirit, and an awakening that inspired the Bengalis to fight for their independence and win victory in 1971.

While reminiscing the day, I also visualized two things. Firstly, the Language Movement of 1952 was not confined to the streets in Dhaka. It was spread and felt across the nation, to the remote areas and villages like Walipur. And, there were many Sattar ‘sirs’ who made their humble contributions to the movement.

Secondly, a small boy of 7/8 made his mark in the Language Movement, even though he was oblivious of the significance of the day.

Rashed Chowdhury
San Jose, CA
USA