Quader demands Bangla as UN official language

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today demanded for making Bangla, mother tongue of around 30 crore people across the world, as the official language of the United Nations.

"We have the sole demand to the United Nations now that it will make Bangla, the mother tongue of around 30 crore people across the globe and lingua franca of Bangalee nation, as the official language of the global organization," he said.

The minister was talking to newsmen after paying homage to the 1952 language martyrs by placing a wreath at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar marking the International Mother Language Day and Martyrs' Day. He was accompanied by party leaders and workers.

Quader said the February 21 is being observed as the International Mother Language Day all over the world commemorating the supreme sacrifices of Bangalees for achieving state language status of this soil for Bangla on this day 66 years back in 1952 during the subjugation of Pakistani rulers.

Mentioning the spirit of 1952 Language Movement and 1971 Liberation War are intertwined with each other, the minister called for building a non-communal Bangladesh with the spirit of Amar Ekushey and Liberation War.

Earlier, national and party flags were kept half mast and black flags were hoisted at party offices across the country including the central office and Bangabandhu Bhaban at 6am today.