‘Inquilab Zindabad’ Sparks Social Media Storm After Minister’s Remarks

“Inquilab Zindabad” has emerged as a trending phrase across social media platforms following remarks by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku. The online trend gained momentum after the minister stated that the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” should not be used in the context of embracing the Bangla language.

The statement quickly went viral, triggering widespread debate both in favor of and against his position.

Earlier on Saturday afternoon, February 21, speaking at a discussion and cultural program marking International Mother Language Day and Martyrs’ Day at the Shilpakala Academy auditorium organized by the Sirajganj District Administration, the minister said that if Bangla is to be upheld as the mother tongue, then slogans like “Inquilab Zindabad” should not continue. He argued that such expressions have no connection with Bangla and are associated with those who once sought to suppress the language.

By evening, prominent figures linked to the July uprising publicly disagreed with the minister’s remarks. Two of the uprising’s top leaders, Hasnat Abdullah and Nasir Uddin Patwari, shared Facebook posts featuring the slogan written in bold red against a plain background. The posts went viral within moments, sparking fresh debate that quickly extended beyond language and culture into the political arena.

Another figure associated with the July movement, Sarwar Tushar, commented that the minister rejected the word “Inquilab” while resorting to English in his own speech. He argued that the term historically emerged in the context of resisting colonial British rule and added that February 21 should not be equated with “language policing.”

Late at night, Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, wrote on his verified Facebook page: “InshaAllah, the Bangladesh of tomorrow will be a Bangladesh of justice. Inquilab Zindabad.”

Engineer and writer Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb reflected on the broader implications of language freedom, stating that in the history of resisting authoritarianism, freedom of speech and expression has been an unavoidable force. He wrote that language free of fear reminds people of their own strength and marks the beginning of liberation.

Academic and fact-checker Suman Rahman noted that while words like “Inquilab” or “Insaf” may not be etymologically Bangla, most words in the Bangla language have foreign origins. He argued that this diversity is a defining characteristic of any enriched language and that February 21 represents defiance, not linguistic policing.

Journalist Rajib Ahmed questioned why, after advocating for Bangla, some individuals shift to English as their primary mode of expression. In another post, he pointed out that while the minister dismissed “Zindabad,” his own party slogan includes “Bangladesh Zindabad.” He also referenced criticism previously directed at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over its use of the term.

Some social media users also shared a photo card from the official Facebook page of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, published on August 4, 2024, which prominently featured the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad.” The resurfaced post has added another layer to the ongoing debate.

As discussions continue online, the phrase has transcended its immediate linguistic context, becoming a focal point of political and cultural discourse.

DBTech/SH/EK/OR