Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has voiced his demand for recognising Bangla as the official language of the United Nations.
"We have the sole demand to the United Nations now that it will make Bangla, the mother tongue of around 300 million people across the globe, as the official language of the global organisation," he said on Wednesday.
The Road Transport and Bridges Minister came up with the demand while talking to newsmen after paying homage to the 1952 language martyrs by placing a wreath at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar.
He was accompanied by party leaders and workers on the International Mother Language Day and Martyrs' Day.
Quader said the February 21 is being observed as the International Mother Language Day all over the world.
"The world is commemorating the supreme sacrifices of Bangalees for achieving the state language status for Bangla on this day 66 years back in 1952 during the subjugation of Pakistani rulers," he said.
According to BSS, mentioning that the spirit of 1952 Language Movement and that of 1971 Liberation War are intertwined, the minister called for building a non-communal Bangladesh being imbued with the spirit of Amar Ekushey and Liberation War.
Earlier, national and party flags were kept half mast and black flags were hoisted at Awami League party offices across the country including the central office and Bangabandhu Bhaban at 6am on Wednesday.