History of the 1952 Language Movement in East Pakistan

Khawja Najimuddin, the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, followed the established footsteps of his predecessor, Jinnah, regarding the national language policy.
On $26$ January $1952$ , Khawja Najimuddin announced that Urdu would be the sole state language of Pakistan.

Initial Student Protest: In direct protest against the Prime Minister's announcement, students observed a strike on $30$ January $1952$ .
Rastrabhasha Sangram Porishad: The organization was reorganized on $30$ January $1952$ . Abdul Matin was appointed as its new convener.
Sarbadalio Rastrabhasha Sangram Porishod: This all-party committee was formed on $31$ January $1952$ . Kazi Golam Mahbub was made the convener of this group.
Political Mobilization: With the formation of these committees, the movement was mobilized further as various political parties joined the cause alongside the student body.

Poltan Maidan Agitation: On $4$ February $1952$ , students observed an agitation in Dhaka at Poltan Maidan.
Resolution for Strike: A formal resolution was adopted to hold a general hartal (strike) on $21$ February $1952$ .
Determination: The protesters declared a firm determination to continue the movement until their demand for the state language was realized.
Provincial Support: Public opinion in favor of the movement was being formed throughout the entire province.

Imposition of Section 144: The Pakistani government imposed Section $144$ starting from $21$ February $1952$ onwards.
Prohibitions: The imposition banned all meetings, rallies, and processions for a duration of one month.
Decision to Violate: The leaders orchestrating the movement reached a decision to violate Section $144$ to proceed with their demands.

Amtala Meeting: A meeting was held at $11$ am on $21$ February at Amtala. This location was under the mango tree in front of what is the present-day emergency unit of Dhaka Medical College, located within the University of Dhaka.
Tactical Processions: During the meeting, it was decided that the protesters would take out processions consisting of groups of $10$ members each to maintain the movement while defying the government's orders.
Procession Route: Led by students from Dhaka University, the procession approached from the Dhaka Medical College area and moved forward, actively defying Section $144$ .
Participation of Female Students: The movement saw significant involvement from several educational institutions, including: * Eden College * Kamrunnesa Girls’ School * Banglabazar Girls’ School
Police Confrontation: * Initially, the police made several arrests. * The police later hurled tear gas and charged batons (lathi charge) at the demonstrators. * As the situation escalated, the police opened fire on the protesters.

Casualties: The police firing resulted in many individuals receiving bullet injuries and several deaths on the spot or shortly after.
The Martyrs (Bhasha Shaheed): Those who became martyrs included: * Abul Barkat * Abdul Jabbar (transcribed as Abdul Jabber) * Rafiquddin Ahmed (referred to as Rafique) * Abdus Salam * Shafiur Rahman
Spread of News: The news of the student killings spread rapidly across the city of Dhaka and soon reached the entire country, leading to a massive increase in public participation and agitation.