Q50 · UPSC Prelims 2021 · Set A · Current Affairs and GK

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Consider the following statements:1.21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.2.The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A 1 only
B 2 only
C Both 1 and 2
D Neither 1 nor 2

Correct answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation

  1. A

    1 only

    1 only. IMLD is UNESCO (21 February), not UNICEF.

  2. B

    2 only

    2 only. Bangla as a state language was demanded in Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly (and on the streets of Dhaka, 1952).

  3. C

    Both 1 and 2

    Both. Wrong UN agency in 1.

  4. D

    Neither 1 nor 2

    Neither. Statement 2 holds.

Summary. Official key is (b) 2 only. International Mother Language Day (21 February) is a UNESCO observance, born of Bangladesh’s 1952 language movement. The demand for Bangla in Pakistan’s assembly is historical; UNICEF is the wrong parent of the Day.