The government arrested numerous students and political leaders with the aim of foiling the language movement

The government arrested numerous students and political leaders with the aim of foiling the language movement. Failing to arrest Maulana Bhashani, the government issued an arrest warrant against him. Maulana Bhashani appeared in court and courted arrest on April 10. His struggle continued inside the prison as well. At this time, Maulana Bhashani started a new type of hunger strike to fulfill various demands of East Bengal, including the state language and autonomy, and to secure the release of political prisoners arrested during the movement.

He used to fast all day, meaning he did not consume food or water. He would break the fast after evening. Inspired by him, many other prisoners also started fasting in the same way. State prisoners Oli Ahad and Dhananjay Das wrote that, upon the advice of Maulana Bhashani, they fasted for 35 days, which intensified the movement for the release of prisoners inside and outside the prison. Gradually, many were also released. Maulana Bhashani was released on April 21, 1953. Continuing the fasting routine, he started a hunger strike unto death from April 18.

His health began to deteriorate, and when this news was published, protests spread among the people. Under the pressure of public opinion, the government was forced to release him. Notably, Maulana Bhashani observed a one-day hunger strike in prison on February 21, 1953, demanding Bangla as the state language. [Maulana Bhashani's Role in the Language Movement, Shah Ahmad Reza]