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Even before the creation of Pakistan, the debate arose on the issue of its official language. As Mohammad Ali Jinnah proposed Urdu as the official language of the Muslim League in 1937, Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Haque, a veteran leader of Bengal protested against it. When the establishment of Pakistan became absolute-ly certain in 1947, the debate arose again. On 17 May 1947, Chowdhury Kaliquz-zaman and in July, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Aligarh proposed Urdu as the state language of Pakistan. Dr. Muhammad Shahid-ullah, Abdul Haque, Abul Mansur Ahmad, Professor Dr. Muhammad Enamul Haque of the University of Dhaka and some other intellectuals protested against the proposal through their articles.

A cultural organization called Tamaddun Majlis was formed at the University of Dhaka headed by Professor Abul Qasem on September 2,1947. In a meeting of the young workers of this organization on 6-7 September, it was unanimously decided to propose Bangla as a medium of education and court proceedings. A fierce protest broke out in East Bengal when a decision was taken in an education conference in Karnabi in Dogambar 1947 that Urdu should be Picture 1.1: The Procession of the Language Movement

the state language of Pakistan. People from all walks of life raised their voice to declare Bangla as the state language of Pakistan instead. Articles were published focusing on the demand, and in December, Rasrtabhasha Sangram Porishad was formed, Processions were brought out and meetings were held at different institutions including Dhaka University and the secretariat. The Pakistan Government imposed Section 144 and banned meetings and rallies. Dhirendranath Dutta, a member of the Pakistan Assembly (The Gano Porishad) demanded Bangla along with Urdu and English as the medium of proceedings in the Assembly on 25 February, 1948. As his demand was rejected, there was a call for strike in Dhaka on 26 and 29 February. Rastrabhasha Sangram Porishad was reformed on 2 March at the University of Dhaka. March 11 was declared 'A Call for Bangla Language Day', and people observed hartal (protests) on that day. At least 69 protesters were arrested while they were demonstrating with slogans 'we want Bangla as the state language'. A strike was observed in Dhaka during 12-15 March against the arrests and repressions. Having no other way out, Khawja Nazimuddin, the Chief Minister of Pakistan signed an eight-point-agreement with the Rastrabhasha Sangram Porishad.