Paper short abstract

In this paper, I intend to look at popular debates around the Bengali language in Bangladesh and West Bengal, especially in relation to questions of identity and religion.

Paper long abstract

The most important rallying call for the creation of independent Bangladesh was the Bengali language. International Mother Language Day honoured on the 21st of February originated in recognition of the Language Movement, which started in Bangladesh in 1952; during that time a number of Dhaka university students were killed by the Pakistani armed forces in Dhaka. In this socio-cultural scenario, how have popular discourses around the Bengali language and Bengali "culture" reflected the idea(s) of being Bengali/Bangali Muslim?