From Protest to Global Recognition: The struggle that gave birth to International Mother Language Day....by Gurpreet Singh
The observance of International Mother Language Day carries a powerful and emotional history rooted in sacrifice and resistance. The movement began in 1952 in what was then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), when students launched a massive protest demanding that Bengali be recognised as an official state language.
On February 21, 1952, police opened fire on students of Dhaka University who were demonstrating peacefully for linguistic rights.
Several young protesters lost their lives. Their sacrifice became a defining moment in the fight for cultural and linguistic identity and later played a crucial role in shaping the foundation of Bangladesh’s independence.
In recognition of this historic struggle and to promote linguistic diversity worldwide, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in 1999. Since then, the day has evolved into a global campaign to protect endangered languages and encourage multilingual education.
According to UNESCO, nearly 7,000 languages are spoken across the world, but around 43 percent of them are at risk of disappearing. The day serves as a reminder that language is not merely a medium of communication—it embodies culture, history, tradition, and identity.
A mother tongue is the first language a child learns, often in the warmth of a mother’s embrace.
Scientific studies have shown that children grasp concepts faster and more effectively when educated in their native language. It nurtures creativity, strengthens cognitive development, and builds confidence.
Languages preserve folk songs, proverbs, literature, oral traditions, and collective memory. When a language fades, an entire cultural heritage risks being lost with it.
In culturally diverse nations like India, where 22 official languages and thousands of dialects coexist, the day reinforces the importance of protecting linguistic heritage, including Punjabi and other regional languages.
In today’s globalised world, the dominance of English and other major languages poses challenges for smaller linguistic communities.
However, preservation begins at home—by speaking to children in their mother tongue, encouraging storytelling, reading native literature, supporting local writers and artists, and promoting multilingual education in schools and universities.
Digital platforms, social media engagement, language apps, workshops, and cultural festivals can also help modernise and revitalise native languages. While learning multiple languages is an asset, safeguarding one’s roots remains essential.
International Mother Language Day is not just a symbolic observance; it is a call to action. Protecting one’s mother tongue is a shared responsibility—one that ensures future generations inherit not just words, but identity, heritage, and pride.
February 21, 2026
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Gurpreet Singh, Senior Journalist
gurpreetsinghjossan@gmail.com
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