Main content
                
    Mother languages: a matter of life and death
21 February is International Mother Language Day, which has its origins in a student protest in Dhaka in 1952. Bangladesh was then East Pakistan and Pakistan's founding father Muhammed Ali Jinnah had decreed that Urdu would be the only state language. Protesting students were fired upon and several died. Akbar Hossain of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Bangla explains why the day is still so important. (Photo credit Getty Images)
Duration:
This clip is from
More clips from The Fifth Floor
- 
                                                ![]()  Seagulls and happiness in RigaDuration: 07:54 
- 
                                                ![]()  Why a 'beach towel movement' is growing in TurkeyDuration: 06:15 
- 
                                                ![]()  Afghan women fight for educationDuration: 08:51 
- 
                                                ![]()  Watermelons and Ukrainian resistanceDuration: 03:15 
 
         
             
             
             
            