Dhaka: Bangaldesh Nationalist Party(BNP)  on Wednesday announced a two-day programme to mark the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day with due respect, report local news agency.

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies.

The 21st of February will be observed simultaneously as Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day in recognition of the Bengali nation’s supreme sacrifice to the cause of their mother tongue.

In 1999, the UNESCO declared the 21 February as the International Mother Language Day.

As part of the programmes, Fakhrul said BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will pay homage to the Language Movement martyrs by pacing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the early hours of the Shaheed Day.

Khaleda, who had been staying at her Gulshan office during her party’s violent movement last year, organised a doa mahfil at her office to pay respect to the martyrs of the language movement, skipping her customary visit to Central Shaheed Minar in the early hours.

Since joining politics, it was the first time Khaleda skipped visiting the Central Shaheed Minar on the International Mother Language Day to pay homage to the Language Movement heroes, stirring huge criticism by ruling party and progressive forces.

BNP leaders and activists, led by Khaleda’s Advisor Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, however placed floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar on behalf of the party last year.

Fakhrul said their party will also keep the party and national flags at half-mast and hoist black flags at its Nayapaltan central office at 6am on the day.

Leaders and activists of the party will also gather in front of Balaka Cinema Hall at Nilkhet at about 6:00am.

Later, they will first offer fateha at the graves of Language movement martyrs at Azimpur Graveyard and then go to the Central Shaheed Minar to pay tribute to the martyrs.

The party will hold a discussion the following day at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh at 2pm, marking the day.

Besides, BNP’s different units across the country will also observe the day with due respect amid various programmes.