Dhaka, Feb 26 (V7N)-A legal notice has been issued requesting the inclusion of Bengali as an official language of the United Nations and its use in all official matters within Bangladesh.
The notice has been sent to several key officials, including the cabinet Secretary, the secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the senior secretary of the Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division, the secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the registrar general of the Supreme Court.
The notice, sent by Supreme Court lawyer Khondkar Hasan Shahriar on Wednesday, through postal mail and email, urges immediate steps to elevate Bengali in both national and international contexts.
The notice highlights that during the Unesco Paris session on November 17, 1999, a proposal was introduced and supported by 188 countries, leading to the declaration of February 21 as International Mother Language Day. Since 2000, this day has been observed globally.
In 2010, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution, proposed by Bangladesh, to celebrate the day annually. The notice emphasizes that Bengali has become not only the national language of Bangladesh but also an internationally recognized language, symbolic of historical pride. The Shaheed Minar, representing the language movement, stands as a global symbol of language and rights struggles.
However, the notice also expresses concern that despite Bengali's official status, its use is often neglected in various sectors across Bangladesh. The increasing dominance of English in government, private offices, courts, and educational institutions has led to a decline in the use of Bengali. The younger generation is increasingly using a hybrid language, blending Bengali and English, and Bengali remains underrepresented in higher education.
The notice points out that many private universities in Bangladesh teach primarily in English, and the use of Bengali on social media, television, and other platforms is diminishing. Incorrect use of Bengali is also prevalent in books, media, and advertisements. The notice stresses the need for the government to establish a clear language policy to promote Bengali as the primary language in all sectors.
According to the 1987 Bengali Language Usage Act, the notice requests that all government and related institutions in Bangladesh use Bengali for documents, correspondence, legal filings, and media, except for communications with foreigners. It also encourages the promotion of proper Bengali in films, media, and public communication.
Furthermore, the notice calls for steps to establish Bengali as an official language of the United Nations and its Security Council. If no action is taken within 30 days, the notice warns that legal action, including a writ petition in higher courts, will be pursued.
END/MSS/AJ
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