Bangladeshis celebrate by placing flowers at the Martyrs’ Monument and its replicas. A public holiday in the country since 1953, it is also known as Shohid Dibosh (Martyr Day). On 17 November 1999, the UNESCO General Conference recognized 21 February as International Mother Language Day. Bangladeshis organize social gatherings honoring their language and culture, hold literary competitions, draw alpana on the roads, eat festive meals and listen to songs.

DCI has been celebrating International Mother Language Day for every year with the aim of preserving linguistic diversity and promoting mother tongue-based multilingual education.