Dhaka: Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday demanded the United Nations make Bangla, a language of the world’s 32 crore people, as one of its official languages.

“We want the United Nations to recognise Bangla as one of its official languages as we 32 crore Bangalees speak Bangla,” he said.

He made the demand while talking to reporters after paying homage to the Language Movement martyrs by placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar, marking the Shaheed Dibas and the International Mother Language Day.

Mentioning that Bangla is the world’s mostly spoken 7th language, he said, “So, we want the UN to recognise the language as its one of official languages. It’s a time-befitting demand.”

Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said all should take a vow on the International Mother Language day to place a strong demand to the UN for having the acknowledgment of Bangla as its official language.

Observing that the dignity of Bangla is being dented for various reasons, Quader called upon all to get awakened to uphold the mother language’s dignity.

There are now six official languages of the UN. These are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. 

Earlier, the Awami League general secretary along with his party leaders and activists offered fateha at the graves of language martyrs at the city’s Azimpur Graveyard on the occasion.

They also offered a munajat there seeking salvation of the departed souls of the language heroes.