The 21^st of February each year comes to remind us of who we are and what we are capable of doing. Apart from symbolising the unshakable spirit of our nation, this day bears with it the flag of unity that was undoubtedly the defining motto behind making us what we are today. It is the unity among the people of this country that made it possible to write the history of 1952 and of the glorious 1971. Even the structure of Shaheed Minar sublimely symbolises unity and strength.

Unfortunately 21^st February this year, which essentially symbolises the strength of unity, comes amid a shameless show of political conflict and violence. Only if they had had even the slightest idea of what was going to happen in the country after 63 years of their sacrifice, Salam, Rafique, Shafique, Jabbar and Barkat would probably have given a second thought to the plan of going to violate section 144 on 21 February in 1952. Pardon my remark, but is this why those language martyrs sacrificed their lives? People are virtually imprisoned in their own country. They aren’t feeling safe in their own home. The intensity of their sense of insecurity can be easily understood when windows of public buses are seen shut even if the temperature is pretty high. Although sweating profusely, they dare not slide back the window shield lest there should be any firebomb attack on them. Such mindless killings, violence, and political crisis are the direct antitheses of the spirit of our struggle for language and liberation.

I don’t know who is to blame for the deaths from firebombs on the roads, for the extreme uncertainty that is hovering over hundreds and thousands of SSC students, or for the shattered economy of the country. But, the fact is these are what happening right now, and putting an end to all these should be our main concern. People are dying and the country is being pushed about half a century backward by the apparently incessant violence, confusion, and distrust.

We the people are simply wary of this confusion, uncertainty, and lack of trust in country’s political arena which quintessentially incorporates all other spheres of our lives. We want security, we want peace. We expect our politicians (our representatives) to make us their only concern. They can’t just fight with each other. They simply can’t stay divided when situation demands them to be united and work for one single cause: the betterment of the country and its people.

May Amar Ekushey with all its spirit prompt everyone concerned to join hands in order to end the ongoing crisis and dissuade them from agonizing the people whose betterment is exactly what this great day embodies.