There are no Shaheed Minars in all the 284 madrasas in the district and a few of them observe Language Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day on February 21 by erecting Shaheed Minar with banana trees and holding doa mahfil (prayer meeting).

“We arrange only doa mahfil on the day but do not place wreaths at a Shaheed Minar as it is not allowed in our religion,” said ANM Bazlur Rahman, principal of the 106-year-old Wayazabad Mostafavia Fazil (degree level) Madrasa in Sadar upazila. The madrasa does not have a Shaheed Minar.

Pangashia Nesaria Kamil (post graduate level) Madrasa in Dumki upazila was set up in 1940, but there is no Shaheed Minar on its premises.

“Our students observe the day by making temporary Shaheed Minar with banana trees as we have no fund to build a permanent structure,” said Kazi Shah Jalal, principal of Dakkhin Muradia Mohila Fazil Madrasa.

Not only madrasas but also many primary schools, high schools and colleges in the district do not have Shaheed Minar.

Auliapur Sabina Akhter High School in Sadar upazila does not have a permanent Shaheed Minar, and the students observe Language Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day by making temporary Shaheed Minar with banana trees.

Monitoring Officer of the Primary Education Office M Ruhul Amin said they do know not how many schools and colleges in the district do not have Shaheed Minar.

Assistant District Education Officer Md Ruhul Amin said they asked every institution to observe the day with proper honour, but they have no data on how many educational institutions do not have Shaheed Minar.

Additional Deputy Commissioner for ICT and Education Nurul Hafij said they have asked all institutions to observe all national days properly, including Language Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day.