Language hero Motiar wants to donate land for old home
Motiar Rahman, a language veteran of the district, is passing his days lonely and almost unsung despite his role in 1952.
He passes his days only recollecting the memories of the turbulent days in the small town of Bogra when he along with others built resistance against the colonial force that tried to suppress the movement for rights to speak in mother language.
Motiar, although 93 now, still dreams of establishing Bangla at all national spheres as he dreamt at his early age.
Influential quarters have gobbled up his landed property in the town, on which he dreamt of building a home for the elderly people.
Talking to this correspondent Motiar sought government help to recover his property from the grabbers.
Vice-president of Awami League Bogra district unit and language veteran Sadeq Ali Ahmed recalled the contribution of Motiar Rahman to the Language Movement saying his presence was obvious in all meetings, processions and movements.
By profession, Motiar was 'kobiraj' (traditional healer) and he had a chamber at Satmatha of Bogra town. He used to publish a weekly newspaper 'Chabuk' (whip).
Motiar was the editor of the Chabuk and was always at the forefront of all programmes of the Language Movement, said elderly journalist Jahedur Rahman Jadu.
Only a few local cultural organisations gave him accolade for his role in the Language Movement.
"Nobody thinks for me and nobody takes care of me,...... and I don't expect that from any body," said Motiar, a confirmed bachelor. "I only want use of Bangla language in all national spheres and peace, progress of the nation," he added.
Recalling the events of February 21, 1952, he said, "We totally paralysed Bogra town when we heard the rumour of death of Gaziul Huq, noted language movement veteran in police firing in Dhaka."
"We barricaded the roads and tore off all signboards written in Urdu," he said adding many people were picked up and put behind the bar from Satmatha where we held an emergency meeting the next few days saw ceaseless student strike, protest meetings, and agitation, he said.
Motiar said All-party Rastra Bhasha Sangram Parishad was formed in Bogra a few days before February 21. Nurul Hossain Mollah, Mokhlesur Rahman, Golam Mohiuddin, Durgadas Mukherjee, Jalal Uddin Akbar and Sadeq Ali Ahmed were at the fore of the movement.
Motiar said he wants to donate his landed property for welfare of people. If the government wants, he would give away his land for building an 'old home.'
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