Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Syed Refaat Ahmed, stated that February 21 is the first pillar of Bengali national identity. He described Ekushey as a fundamental inspiration for the post-1971 state-building process. Sharing his personal connection, he revealed that his mother was a language movement activist. He made these remarks after placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar following the President and Chief Adviser’s tribute at dawn on Friday. He also observed a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs, a moment officially acknowledged in a press release by the Supreme Court.