Synopsis
West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has indirectly criticized the caretaker government of Bangladesh for its inadequate celebration of International Mother Language Day, highlighting the absence of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus at the event.Key Takeaways
- Mamata Banerjee critiques Bangladesh's government.
- International Mother Language Day has roots in Bangladesh.
- Emphasis on the significance of mother languages.
- Bengali is the fifth most spoken language globally.
- Recognition of various languages in West Bengal.
Kolkata, Feb 22 (NationPress) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has subtly criticized the caretaker government in neighboring Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, for the lackluster celebration of International Mother Language Day, noting that Yunus himself did not attend the event.
While the Chief Minister refrained from naming specific individuals, her comments pointedly referenced the modest celebrations occurring across the border.
The origins of International Mother Language Day trace back to Bangladesh, where on February 21, 1952, the Bengali-speaking community in then East Pakistan initiated a movement advocating for the development of the Bengali language.
During her address at a gathering in South Kolkata commemorating International Mother Language Day, Chief Minister Banerjee remarked on the diminished festivities in Bangladesh. "No one holds exclusive rights over any language. Each individual has a connection to their mother tongue. We will certainly honor this day. I cannot speak for another nation; I can only discuss our own. Jai Bangla," she stated.
Political analysts interpret that while she did not directly identify anyone, her discourse was evidently directed at the caretaker government in Bangladesh and Muhammad Yunus.
Since the political turmoil began in Bangladesh, Chief Minister Banerjee has been cautious in her remarks, consistently aligning her government's position with that of the Union government.
She emphasized that while Bengali is the primary language in West Bengal, her administration recognizes numerous other languages.
"We want everyone to take pride in their mother tongues. Bengali ranks as the fifth most spoken language globally and the second most spoken in Asia. After considerable effort, we have achieved the status of a classical language for Bengali," she added.
The Chief Minister also shared a poem she authored.
