Amar Ekushey: A story of Bangladesh’s struggle against Pakistan as Yunus sings buddy ballad

Every year on February 21, Bangladesh unites to honour those who gave their lives for the right to speak their mother tongue. The day is observed as Amar Ekushey as a symbol of resistance, identity and the unyielding spirit of the Bengali people to speak their language resisting the then-Pakistan government’s imposition of Urdu on East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

Bangladesh remembers the sacrifices of Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and many others, triggering in 1952 a long struggle against Pakistani establishment, ultimately leading to the War of Liberation in 1971. About 3 million Bengali-speaking people were killed, countless  others, especially women, suffered horrors of suppression by Pakistani forces. The land was literally drenched in the blood of those who dreamed of freedom.

In post-Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh, the sentiments of Amar Ekushey meet an irony as Dhaka under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus embraces Pakistani establishment like never before. Yunus is building closer diplomatic ties with Pakistan and there are signs he may take a different approach to this part of Bangladesh’s history.

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The politics of memory

For decades, the history of 1971 has shaped Bangladesh’s identity and its relationship with Pakistan. Sheikh Hasina’s government kept Pakistan at a distance, mainly because Islamabad has never officially apologised for the genocide committed during the war.

The demand for recognition of these atrocities has been a key part of Bangladesh’s foreign policy. The strong demand for a formal apology has, however, now softened into a vague call for the resolution of issues as Yunus veers towards Pakistan with a renewed vigour. Many in Bangladesh see this change of approach as a betrayal of the sacrifices made by the people who fought for its liberation.

Scores of Bangladeshi families still recount experiences of Pakistan’s crackdown during the War of Liberation, which essential began as Islamabad’s disapproval of the right of the people Bengali. The struggles of 1952 and 1971 continue to shape Bangladesh’s cultural identity.

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The Dhaka Tribune reported in September last year that officials from Bangladesh Betar, the country’s oldest electronic mass media platform, held a meeting to discuss the possible revival of its Urdu service. While no final decision was made, there are signs that Urdu is gradually re-emerging since Yunus took charge of the interim government.

Incidentally, for the first time in Bangladesh’s history, the 76th death anniversary of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was observed in Dhaka in September last year, featuring Urdu poetry and songs. The event, organised by the Nawab Salimullah Academy at the National Press Club, saw speakers claiming that Bangladesh would not have existed without Jinnah creating Pakistan.

The commemoration came a month after the military-backed interim government took over following Hasina’s departure amid student protests. While some welcomed the tribute, others viewed it as an attempt to rewrite history, given Bangladesh’s bloody struggle for independence from Pakistan. Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner Kamran Dhangal attended the event.

Signs of a changing relationship

Despite years of hostility, recent developments suggest that Bangladesh and Pakistan are moving toward better relations. High-level military exchanges, the restart of direct flights between the two countries and Bangladesh’s participation in Pakistan’s Aman 2025 naval exercises point to a new phase of diplomatic engagement.

Trade ties are also being strengthened with both countries aiming to increase their annual trade volume four times over. These steps show a shift in strategy—one that focuses on economic and geopolitical interests rather than past conflicts.

Bangladesh’s push to diversify its foreign policy, reduce dependence on India and explore new partnerships could be behind this renewed engagement with Pakistan. But this raises a difficult question: at what cost, critics are asking. Should Bangladesh forgo its right to seek an apology from Pakistan for its crime against humanity perpetrated on its people?

The emotional divide

For many Bangladeshis, the idea of improving ties with Pakistan is both emotional and morally challenging. The memories of the 1971 war are still fresh, passed down through generations as a reminder of the heavy price paid for freedom.

Survivors of the war, families of the martyrs and those who witnessed the genocidal atrocities, routinely detest closer ties with Pakistan without a formal apology. But the younger generation does not have the same recollection of those years and do not feel the pain of the scars of history with the same intensity.

There is also a key difference in how both countries have dealt with their past. Bangladesh has preserved its war history through tribunals and memorials ensuring that the sacrifices are never forgotten.

In contrast, Pakistan has largely refused to acknowledge its role in the genocide. Unlike Germany, which has sincerely apologised for the Holocaust, Pakistan has neither expressed remorse nor taken responsibility for its actions. Instead, revisionist narratives often downplay the scale of the atrocities, making reconciliation even more difficult.

A dilemma of identity and diplomacy

Bangladesh stands at a crucial turning point. As it builds new diplomatic and economic ties, it also faces the dilemma over a decision it has to make about how much of its history it is willing to set aside to build a shared future with Pakistan. The Yunus government appears to be looking for a way to balance between a united past and a shared future.

Bangladesh is engaging with multiple global partners, not only Pakistan, as it grow s economically. But any collaboration with Pakistan is bound to have a ripple effect in its society that still feels deeply about the struggles of 1952 and 1971.

The road ahead

It’s to Bangladesh’s credit that the world observes the International Mother Language Day on February 21. In Bangladesh, it reminds the nation of its struggle for linguistic and national recognition. With evolving diplomatic ties, discussions continue on how past events are recognised while shaping future relations. February 21 is marked by tributes at the Shaheed Minar and the singing of Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano reflecting on the past and its role in the present.