But we must remember that Amar Ekushey represents something that goes beyond the fight for Bangla. More than 40 indigenous languages are spoken within the borders of Bangladesh -- many communities speak a language other than Bangla at home, and February 21 is the right time to acknowledge and fully respect the diversity of languages in our country. An attempt had been made by the government to introduce textbooks in indigenous languages, but so far, those initiatives have been met with questionable success. Nobody deserves to be treated this way. As we move forward in the true spirit of Ekushey, let us treat all people, regardless of language, ethnicity, and mother tongue, with proper respect and dignity.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 21, 2019 04:41 UTC