In the early 1950s, the cultural and linguistic identity of Bengalis in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) came under threat as the Urdu language was promoted by the government as the sole national language. This policy was met with significant opposition from the Bengali population, who felt that their language and culture were being marginalized. On February 21, students from the University of Dhaka organized protests demanding the recognition of Bengali as one of the state languages of Pakistan. As the protests grew in size and intensity, they were met with heavy police presence. The situation escalated when police opened fire on the demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of several students, including Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Jabbar, and Salam. Their deaths galvanized the movement for language rights and sparked widespread unrest across East Pakistan.

Following these events, the Language Movement gained momentum and quickly transformed into a broader movement demanding autonomy and recognition for Bengali culture. February 21 subsequently became a symbol of the struggle for linguistic and cultural rights, leading to a recognition that eventually carved a path towards the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. The protests represent a significant moment in East Pakistani history, highlighting the tensions between East and West Pakistan and laying the groundwork for Bengali nationalism and identity.