Literature Desk :
Bengali Language Movement
In 1948, Governor General Mohammad Ali Jinnah declared that “Urdu, and only Urdu” would be the federal language of Pakistan. This result in an all-out protest in the then East Pakistan as Bengali was the language of more than 50 per cent of the total Pakistani population. The movement reached its climax in 1952, when on 21 February, the police fired on protesting students and civilians, causing several deaths. Finally, the Pakistan government decided to recognise Bangla as one of the State Language. This movement was a broader reaffirmation of the ethno-national consciousness of the Bengali people. Bengali Language Movement in 1952 followed by other movements ultimately led to the great Liberation War in 1971.
Six-Point Movement
The Six-Point Movement was forwarded by a coalition of Bengali nationalist political parties in 1966 led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The main agenda was to end the exploitation of East Pakistan by the West Pakistani rulers.
The Six Point movement demanded a federation of Pakistan with more power to states, separate central bank to control money flow to West Pakistan, transparent taxation policy, separate foreign exchange earning accounts, and establishment of separate militia or paramilitary force in the then East Pakistan. Soon it became popular, and eventually it became the mandate of the people which united the whole population of the East Pakistan.
Agartala Conspiracy Case and 1969 uprising
Following the popularity of Six-Point movement in East Pakistan, the government decided to move against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. They resolved to frame charges against 35 political personalities and high government officials under civil law. Members of public looked at the case as a conspiracy of the Pakistan government against the political autonomy movement of East Pakistan, especially since the government was keen to prove that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was an Indian agent and a separatist. Followed by the death of Amanullah Asaduzzaman in 20 January, 1969, massive movement was organised against government.
The public demanded immediate withdrawal of the case and release of all prisoners, and protest continued. In the morning of 15 February 1969, a Pakistani habildar shot point blank at Sergeant Zahurul Haq at the door of his jail cell, and killed him which fueled the anger of the public, and East Pakistan was no longer in the control of the Pakistan government. It was known as 1969 Uprising.
The case was withdrawn in the face of a massive popular uprising, which also marks the fall of General Ayub Khan’s dictatorship in 1969. The case and the resulting uprising is seen as one of the major events leading to Bengali nationalism.
1970 cyclone
The 1970 cyclone was a devastating tropical cyclone that struck Bangladesh on 12 November 1970. It remains the deadliest tropical cyclone ever recorded and one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern times. Up to 500,000 people lost their lives in the storm, primarily as a result of the storm surge that flooded much of the low-lying islands of the Ganges delta.
The Pakistani government led by junta leader General Yahya Khan was severely criticised for its delayed handling of the relief operations following the storm, both by local political leaders in East Pakistan and in the international media. During the election that took place a month later, the opposition Awami League gained a landslide victory in the province where the negligence of Pakistan government played an important role.
Pakistani general election, 1970
Following the fall of General Ayub Khan, the Pakistani general election of 1970 was held on 7 December 1970, which was the first general election held in Pakistan. The Awami League, Bengali nationalist party, mobilised support in East Pakistan on the basis of its Six-Points Program (SPP), which was the main attraction in the party’s manifesto. In East Pakistan, a huge majority of the Bengali nation favoured the Awami League, under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The party received a huge percentage of the popular vote in East Pakistan and emerged as the largest party in the nation as a whole, gaining the exclusive mandate of Pakistan in terms both of seats (160 out of 300) and of votes (39.2 per cent).
7th March Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
The landslide victory in the national elections, 1970, gave the Awami League the constitutional right to form a government. The President declared Sheikh Mujib as next Prime Minister and National Assembly to conven in Dhaka on March 3, 1971 – only to postpone later.
This event fueled anger in the whole eastern region. The major cities were engulfed in violence which saw the security forces killing dozens of unarmed protesters. The atmosphere became tense as across the province, Bengalis began hoisting the flag of a future independent Bangladesh. There were open calls from the masses for their leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to declare Independence from Pakistan. The Awami League then called a mammoth public gathering at Dhaka’s historic Race Course Maidan on March 7 to respond to the boiling tension across the province. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his famous speech in front of over two million people. The people were inspired to prepare for a potential War of Independence amid widespread reports of armed mobilisation by West Pakistan. During the speech, Sheikh Mujib proclaimed, “Our struggle is for our freedom. Our struggle is for our independence.”
Proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence on March 26, 1971
The Pakistani leaders continued discussion with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while bringing arms and ammunition from West Pakistan. On 25th March, 1971, the Pakistan army began Operation Searchlight, their pre-planned genocide of the people including targeted killings of Bengali intelligentsia, academics, Hindus. Following their atrocities, Bangladesh declared the independence on the first hour of 26th March, 1971.
Victory day of Bangladesh: Newly formed Bangladesh resisted the initial barbaric attacks of Pakistani Army. After the formation of Provisional Government of Bangladesh on 17th April, 1971, Bangladesh had a mouthpiece to ask help from international community. Following a cruelty which was unparalleled by anything in the century, Bangladesh Mukti Bahini and other forces fought bravely against the occupying Pakistan Army. On December 3rd, 1971, India formally entered the war following a failed Pakistani attack on Indian soil. Finally, Pakistan army surrendered unconditionally to the allied Indian-Bangladeshi force on 16th December, 1971. n
Bengali Language Movement
In 1948, Governor General Mohammad Ali Jinnah declared that “Urdu, and only Urdu” would be the federal language of Pakistan. This result in an all-out protest in the then East Pakistan as Bengali was the language of more than 50 per cent of the total Pakistani population. The movement reached its climax in 1952, when on 21 February, the police fired on protesting students and civilians, causing several deaths. Finally, the Pakistan government decided to recognise Bangla as one of the State Language. This movement was a broader reaffirmation of the ethno-national consciousness of the Bengali people. Bengali Language Movement in 1952 followed by other movements ultimately led to the great Liberation War in 1971.
Six-Point Movement
The Six-Point Movement was forwarded by a coalition of Bengali nationalist political parties in 1966 led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The main agenda was to end the exploitation of East Pakistan by the West Pakistani rulers.
The Six Point movement demanded a federation of Pakistan with more power to states, separate central bank to control money flow to West Pakistan, transparent taxation policy, separate foreign exchange earning accounts, and establishment of separate militia or paramilitary force in the then East Pakistan. Soon it became popular, and eventually it became the mandate of the people which united the whole population of the East Pakistan.
Agartala Conspiracy Case and 1969 uprising
Following the popularity of Six-Point movement in East Pakistan, the government decided to move against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. They resolved to frame charges against 35 political personalities and high government officials under civil law. Members of public looked at the case as a conspiracy of the Pakistan government against the political autonomy movement of East Pakistan, especially since the government was keen to prove that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was an Indian agent and a separatist. Followed by the death of Amanullah Asaduzzaman in 20 January, 1969, massive movement was organised against government.
The public demanded immediate withdrawal of the case and release of all prisoners, and protest continued. In the morning of 15 February 1969, a Pakistani habildar shot point blank at Sergeant Zahurul Haq at the door of his jail cell, and killed him which fueled the anger of the public, and East Pakistan was no longer in the control of the Pakistan government. It was known as 1969 Uprising.
The case was withdrawn in the face of a massive popular uprising, which also marks the fall of General Ayub Khan’s dictatorship in 1969. The case and the resulting uprising is seen as one of the major events leading to Bengali nationalism.
1970 cyclone
The 1970 cyclone was a devastating tropical cyclone that struck Bangladesh on 12 November 1970. It remains the deadliest tropical cyclone ever recorded and one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern times. Up to 500,000 people lost their lives in the storm, primarily as a result of the storm surge that flooded much of the low-lying islands of the Ganges delta.
The Pakistani government led by junta leader General Yahya Khan was severely criticised for its delayed handling of the relief operations following the storm, both by local political leaders in East Pakistan and in the international media. During the election that took place a month later, the opposition Awami League gained a landslide victory in the province where the negligence of Pakistan government played an important role.
Pakistani general election, 1970
Following the fall of General Ayub Khan, the Pakistani general election of 1970 was held on 7 December 1970, which was the first general election held in Pakistan. The Awami League, Bengali nationalist party, mobilised support in East Pakistan on the basis of its Six-Points Program (SPP), which was the main attraction in the party’s manifesto. In East Pakistan, a huge majority of the Bengali nation favoured the Awami League, under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The party received a huge percentage of the popular vote in East Pakistan and emerged as the largest party in the nation as a whole, gaining the exclusive mandate of Pakistan in terms both of seats (160 out of 300) and of votes (39.2 per cent).
7th March Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
The landslide victory in the national elections, 1970, gave the Awami League the constitutional right to form a government. The President declared Sheikh Mujib as next Prime Minister and National Assembly to conven in Dhaka on March 3, 1971 – only to postpone later.
This event fueled anger in the whole eastern region. The major cities were engulfed in violence which saw the security forces killing dozens of unarmed protesters. The atmosphere became tense as across the province, Bengalis began hoisting the flag of a future independent Bangladesh. There were open calls from the masses for their leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to declare Independence from Pakistan. The Awami League then called a mammoth public gathering at Dhaka’s historic Race Course Maidan on March 7 to respond to the boiling tension across the province. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his famous speech in front of over two million people. The people were inspired to prepare for a potential War of Independence amid widespread reports of armed mobilisation by West Pakistan. During the speech, Sheikh Mujib proclaimed, “Our struggle is for our freedom. Our struggle is for our independence.”
Proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence on March 26, 1971
The Pakistani leaders continued discussion with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while bringing arms and ammunition from West Pakistan. On 25th March, 1971, the Pakistan army began Operation Searchlight, their pre-planned genocide of the people including targeted killings of Bengali intelligentsia, academics, Hindus. Following their atrocities, Bangladesh declared the independence on the first hour of 26th March, 1971.
Victory day of Bangladesh: Newly formed Bangladesh resisted the initial barbaric attacks of Pakistani Army. After the formation of Provisional Government of Bangladesh on 17th April, 1971, Bangladesh had a mouthpiece to ask help from international community. Following a cruelty which was unparalleled by anything in the century, Bangladesh Mukti Bahini and other forces fought bravely against the occupying Pakistan Army. On December 3rd, 1971, India formally entered the war following a failed Pakistani attack on Indian soil. Finally, Pakistan army surrendered unconditionally to the allied Indian-Bangladeshi force on 16th December, 1971. n
