Consider the following statements: 1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF. 2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Contents13
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong:
International Mother Language Day (February 21) was declared by UNESCO in 1999, not UNICEF.
It commemorates the 1952 language movement in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), where students protesting for Bengali language recognition were killed.
Statement 2 is correct:
On February 23, 1948, during the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, Dhirendranath Datta proposed including Bengali as an official language alongside Urdu and English.
West Pakistani leaders and PM Liaquat Ali Khan opposed the motion, sparking the language movement.
Only
Statement 2 is correct.
Answer: (b).
International Mother Language Day commemorates the 1952 Bengali language movement where students were killed protesting for language rights in East Pakistan.
The question tests knowledge of UNESCO vs UNICEF roles and the historical language politics that led to Bangladesh's creation in 1971.
International Mother Language Day
Art And Culture 21st February International Mother Language Day UNICEF
International Mother Language Day: Origins & UPSC Traps
February 21 is International Mother Language Day, declared by UNESCO in 1999
Commemorates the 1952 language movement in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Students were killed protesting for Bengali language recognition
Historical Background
International Mother Language Day commemorates a tragic yet pivotal moment in linguistic rights history. On February 21, 1952, students in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) were killed while protesting for recognition of Bengali as an official language alongside Urdu.
Key Facts
Declared by UNESCO in November 1999, not UNICEF
First observed globally on February 21, 2000
Promotes linguistic diversity and multilingualism worldwide
Observed in Bangladesh as Shaheed Dibosh (Martyrs' Day)
UNESCO estimates that 40% of world's languages are endangered
Trap: Statement 1 says UNICEF declared it — correct answer is UNESCO
Common confusion: UNICEF deals with children's welfare, UNESCO handles education and culture
Date trap: February 21 is correct, but the declaring body matters for UPSC
Bangladesh Language Movement 1952
Modern Indian History Bangla national languages Constituent Assembly of Pakistan
Bangladesh Language Movement: From Demand to Martyrdom
Dhirendranath Datta raised Bengali language demand in Pakistan's Constituent Assembly on February 23, 1948
West Pakistani leaders opposed making Bengali co-official with Urdu
Language movement culminated in February 21, 1952 student killings
Eventually led to Bangladesh independence in 1971
The Constitutional Demand
The language controversy began when Dhirendranath Datta, a member from East Bengal, proposed in Pakistan's first Constituent Assembly on February 23, 1948 that Bengali should be recognized as an official language alongside Urdu and English.
Timeline of Events
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**February 23, 1948**
Dhirendranath Datta proposes Bengali as official language in Constituent Assembly`"]
s2["`**March 1948**
Jinnah declares 'Urdu and only Urdu' will be Pakistan's national language`"]
s3["`**1948-1952**
Growing protests and cultural resistance in East Pakistan`"]
s4["`**February 21, 1952**
Police fire on student protesters, several killed`"]
s5["`**1956**
Bengali finally recognized as co-official language`"]
s6["`**1971**
Bangladesh achieves independence, citing linguistic discrimination`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5
s5 --> s6Key Players & Opposition
PM Liaquat Ali Khan and West Pakistani leaders rejected the Bengali demand
Muhammad Ali Jinnah insisted 'Urdu and only Urdu' would be the national language
East Pakistanis comprised 56% of population but felt culturally dominated
Movement led by students, intellectuals, and Awami League
Statement 2 is correct: Bengali demand WAS raised in Pakistan's Constituent Assembly
Name to remember: Dhirendranath Datta made the proposal in 1948
Don't confuse: Language movement (1948-52) vs Independence war (1971)
UNESCO vs UNICEF Mandates
World Affairs (International Relations) UNESCO UNICEF
UNESCO vs UNICEF: Mandate Differences for UPSC
UNESCO handles education, science, culture, and communication
UNICEF focuses on children's welfare, health, and emergency aid
Language preservation falls under UNESCO's cultural mandate
Key Differences
Aspect | UNESCO | UNICEF |
|---|---|---|
Full Form | UN Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization | UN Children's Fund |
Established | 1945 | 1946 |
Headquarters | Paris, France | New York, USA |
Primary Focus | Education, Culture, Science | Children's Rights & Welfare |
Language Issues | Linguistic diversity, endangered languages | Education in mother tongue for children |
Notable Programs | World Heritage Sites, Memory of World | Immunization, Emergency Relief |
Why UNESCO Declares Language Days
Cultural mandate: UNESCO promotes linguistic diversity as part of cultural heritage
Education angle: Mother language education improves learning outcomes
Six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish have dedicated days
Endangered languages: UNESCO maintains Atlas of World's Languages in Danger
UPSC loves this confusion: UNESCO (culture) vs UNICEF (children) - remember the 'C'
Memory aid: UNESCO has C for Culture, UNICEF has C for Children
Other language days: Hindi Day, Sanskrit Day are national observances, not UN declarations
Partition's Linguistic Consequences
Modern Indian History Constituent Assembly of Pakistan national languages
Language Politics After Partition: India vs Pakistan
Pakistan imposed Urdu despite Bengali being majority language in East Pakistan
India adopted multilingual approach with Hindi as official language
Language disputes contributed to Bangladesh's creation in 1971
Post-Partition Language Policies
Country | Official Language Policy | Major Challenge | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
Pakistan | Urdu only (Jinnah's declaration) | Bengali speakers = 56% population | East Pakistan broke away (1971) |
India | Hindi + English (transitional) | Southern states' resistance | Linguistic states created |
Bangladesh | Bengali as national language | Tribal language rights | Constitutional recognition (1972) |
India's Linguistic Strategy
Article 343: Hindi in Devanagari script as official language
Three-Language Formula: Hindi, English, regional language
States Reorganisation Act 1956: Created linguistic states
8th Schedule: Constitutional recognition to 22 languages
Official Languages Act 1963: Continued English use indefinitely
Don't confuse: India's linguistic accommodation vs Pakistan's linguistic dominance
Key contrast: India created linguistic states, Pakistan suppressed linguistic diversity
Timeline trap: Language movement (1952) preceded Bangladesh independence (1971) by 19 years