Language Movement
Historic Amtala site to be visible again
The historic Amtala site where the Language Movement heroes defied Section 144 to demand Bangla as state language in 1952 and many of them embraced martyrdom in police firing.The site near the emergency gate of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, however, remains apparently invisible from public view as vendors occupy the footpath and road around this gate. The then Amtala was just behind this gate where a notice board declares the premises as “Historic Amtala Site”. The DMCH authorities yesterday took an initiative to evict the occupiers to make the site visible again. Photo: Star
The historic Amtala, where the Language Movement activists gathered on February 21, 1952, has now become almost untraceable.
None will ever be able to recognise the place unless the person reads a signboard hanging atop a Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) gate that remains closed most of the time.
The place is now crammed with hawkers.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. After a long period of time, the DMCH authorities have taken an initiative to clear the footpath and open spaces at the historic place so that people can visit the spot on International Mother Language Day on February 21.
“This is the place of our national spirit and emotion,” said Brig Gen Nasir Uddin, director of DMCH.
The footpath will also be cleaned as a huge number of people will gather there on the day, he said.
He said they will write a letter to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to set up a memorial there.
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