By TC News Desk
Agartala, 19th May 2025: Today marks ‘Bangla Bhasha Saheed Diwas’, observed in remembrance of the eleven individuals who lost their lives on May 19, 1961, in Silchar, Assam while protesting for the recognition of Bengali as an official language. To honor their sacrifice, Amra Bangali organized commemorative events, including a tribute ceremony at their party office in Shivnagar, Agartala.
Speaking at the event, Amra Bangali Party Secretary Gouranga Rudra Pal reflected on the historical significance of the day. “On this day in 1961, eleven Bengalis from Silchar, Assam, laid down their lives to protect the dignity of their mother tongue. This movement, held nine years after the Language Movement in Bangladesh, was another crucial fight to preserve the identity of the Bengali-speaking community,” he stated.
Pal further elaborated on the circumstances that led to the protest, explaining that the Assam provincial government had declared Assamese as the sole official language, excluding Bengali. “This decision deeply affected the Bengali-speaking population of Silchar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi in the Cachar district. The protests escalated, culminating in the tragic events of May 19, 1961, when Assam Rifles personnel opened fire at Silchar Railway Station, killing eleven activists and injuring over fifty others,” he said.
During the tribute ceremony, party members laid floral wreaths in memory of the martyrs, emphasizing the importance of preserving linguistic heritage. “The sacrifice of these language soldiers will always be remembered,” Pal affirmed.
