BANGLADESH

Historic Six Points: The Seed of Independence of Bangladesh

The six point movement was a movement in the then East Pakistan, spearheaded by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which called for absolute autonomy for East Pakistan. The six-point movement is a milestone in the history of our struggle for independence. The six-point declaration has been widely credited as the “charter of freedom” in Bangladesh’s struggle for self-determination from Pakistan’s domination.
In 1954, The United Front of Awami League and the Krishak Sramik Party won the most of the
seats in the East Bengal Legislative Assembly. Sheikh Mujib was elected in this assembly and
serving briefly as the minister for agriculture. But after two months of election, in 30 May The
Bengali dominated United Front Government had been deposed by the Governor General of
Pakistan, Ghulam Mohammad, for a false case. The Governor General imposed his direct rule in
East Pakistan. In 1958 October 27, Field Marshal Ayub Khan captured the power, sent President
Iskander Mirza in exile and abrogated the constitution of Pakistan. Ayub Khan was elected as
President for a five-year term by his so called presidential election. As years went by, political
opposition against President Ayub Khan mounted.
In 1965 August-September, India-Pakistan fought the war over the border issue of Kashmir for
17 days. But in those 17 days East Pakistan was totally unsafe because India could attack
anytime and there was no Military force in the East Pakistan. When Bengalis questioned for their
safety to Pakistan, they replied “Defense of East Pakistan lies in the hand of West Pakistan.” But
West Pakistan did not do anything. Bengalis couldn’t tolerate this discrimination much longer.
They started protesting. From this, a conference was held in Lahore in 12th February, 1966.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman asked Tajuddin Ahmad for some talking points. Then he along with
Ruhul Kuddus and Ahmed Fozlul Rahman made 6 points and gave it to Mujibur Rahman.
Then Mujibur Rahman presented this six-point in that conference. “He demand for “absolute
autonomy” based on his six-point formula seems to have shaken the foundation of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan. The six-point plan had exposed the fact that the real intention of Pakistan’s
ruling elite was to strengthen the central government, but not Pakistan. He repeatedly said in
several public meetings that the people of Pakistan had always desired to have a strong Pakistan,
not a strong central government” (Manik,2008:02). “But Ayub said that the Six-point programme
was the “horried dreams” of greater sovereign of Bengal” (Majumder,1986:163).

The Six-Point Movement in erstwhile East Pakistan, spurred in 1966, is commonly acclaimed by analysts to be the foundation of Bangladesh’s independence. The movement’s main agenda was to realize a policy-prescription of six demands put forward by then firebrand Bengali politician Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in February 1966, to end the already apparent exploitation of East Pakistan by the West Pakistani rulers. Mujib’s staunch advocacy for the emancipation of Bengalis, which was rooted in the six-point agenda, would soon earn him the title of Bangabandhu – friend of the Bengalis.

East Pakistan was facing a dire situation after being subjected to systemic discrimination on a regional basis, year after year. Economic subjugation was one of the factors that led to the dissatisfaction of the Bengalis of East Pakistan. Discrimination in the allocation of federal funds and foreign exchange, and in the matter of recruitment to public services by the central government, were starkly visible immediately after the founding of Pakistan. Bengali economists and the politicians started to raise questions about the discriminatory policies that had resulted in disparities in the economic developments of the two wings of Pakistan. In short, there was one country, two economies.

On February 5, 1966 in Lahore, Mujib revealed the six-point formula for regional autonomy for the federating provinces of Pakistan. Alongside regional autonomy, a major thrust of the six-point was to regionalize economic management.

The Six-Point formula comprised the following points:

1: Through a federal parliamentary system based on direct adult franchise representation of provinces would be based on population in the federal legislature.

2: The federal government will be restricted only to foreign affairs, defense and currency.

And even concerning foreign affairs, the subject of economic issues would rest

with the provinces.

3: There would be either two different currencies for the two wings or a single one with a

separate Federal Reserve System for each wing.

4: The power of implementing and collecting taxes would rest with the provinces.

The federal government will be given enough shares to fulfill its tasks of foreign

affairs and defense.

5: There would be separate accounts of foreign exchange earnings for each wing.

6: East Pakistan would be entitled to have militia or paramilitary force solely under its jurisdiction.

Mujib convened a meeting of the then most organized political party of East Pakistan, the Awami League, on March 18-20, 1966, in which the six-point formula was endorsed. A booklet on six-point demand was also published. Between March and May 1966, Mujib and his colleagues campaigned extensively throughout East Pakistan. The Awami League, communicated the six- point amongst the people and soon mobilized a mass movement. The rulers of Pakistan saw the six-point as a scheme for secession. Pakistan’s military ruler general Ayub Khan started applying a heavy-handed strategy to counter the six-point demand. While campaigning in 1966, Mujib was repeatedly arrested on false charges. Activists, including students and protestors, were also arrested.

The Six-Point Movement took an important turn on June 7, 1966, when the Awami League called a nationwide strike across the East Pakistan. The response to the call was overwhelming. People from all walks of life defied the authorities and observed the “7 June six-point strike.” The armed forces opened fire at the protests in different places. 11 people were killed in Dhaka and Narayanganj city. Soon after, the Awami League decided to further intensify the movement. The movement now had the overwhelming support of the population of East Pakistan.

The six-point movement had far-reaching impacts on the political developments in the then Pakistan. The movement created a political awakening among the Bengalis for emancipation and self-rule. The six-point agenda would go on to provide the framework of independence for Bangladesh in the next 5 years.

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