The historic Six-Point Day, marking the demand for autonomy for the then-East Pakistan—now Bangladesh—was observed on Friday across the country in a befitting manner, reports BSS.
On June 7, 1966, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman launched a massive movement against Pakistan’s oppressive rule on East Pakistan on the basis of the six-point demand—the Magna Carta of the East Pakistanis.
Eleven people were gunned down by the police and paramilitary East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) on the day in Dhaka and Narayanganj, during a strike that was called for the release of Bangabandhu and other leaders detained for launching the Six-Point Movement against the ruling clique.
Bangabandhu launched his six-point political and economic program in Lahore on February 5, 1966, to attain greater autonomy for the then-East Pakistan that had been subjected to exploitation and discrimination by the then-Pakistani rulers.
The demands were: the creation of provisions in the constitution for a Federation of Pakistan based on the Lahore resolution; for the federal government to deal with only two subjects – defence and foreign affairs; introduction of two separate, but freely convertible currencies for East and West Pakistan; vesting of the power of taxation and revenue collection with the federating units; maintenance of two separate accounts for the foreign exchange earnings of the two wings; and the creation a separate militia or paramilitary force for East Pakistan.
Messages from president and prime minister
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the Six-Point Day.
In his message, President Hamid paid rich tributes to the memories of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all who embraced martyrdom to implement the six-point demand.
Terming the historic six-point demand a milestone in the country’s long struggle for independence, he said through the six-point demand, Bangabandhu presented East Bengal’s political, economic, social, and cultural interests.
The president said the six-point demand contained the framework of independence and autonomy of the Bangali nation.
After the six-point demand was announced, the president said, the Pakistani rulers repeatedly arrested Bangabandhu and tortured him, but this did not deter him from the path of movement.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the present government is firmly committed to keeping the democratic rights of the people intact and imbued with the spirit of all democratic movements and struggles, including of the historic June 7.
She said June 7 is an unforgettable and significant day in the history of Bangladesh.
“The historic movement for the six-point demand, declared by greatest Bengali of all time—Bangabandhu—took an important turn on June 7, 1966,” said the prime minister.
The premier said police and the then-EPR had opened fire on unarmed people—during the movement announced by Awami League—to realize the six-point demand, the charter of freedom of Bangalee nation.
Eleven people—including Manu Mian, Shafique and Shamsul Haque—in Dhaka and Narayanganj, embraced martyrdom on that day, she added.
The prime minister showed profound respect to the memories of all martyrs of the struggle for independence including those of the June 7.
She vowed to materialize the dream of the martyrs of June 7, turning the country into a middle income one by 2021 and developed one by 2041.
The celebration
To mark the day, different socio-political organizations—including Awami League, its associate bodies and like-minded socio-cultural organizations—have drawn up elaborate programs.
The Awami League’s programs include raising the national and party flags atop Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi and at the party’s central office in the capital – and all unit offices across the country.
Leaders and workers of Awami League and its front organizations will place floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi around 9.30 am.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, in a statement, urged all—including party men—to observe the day across the country in a befitting manner.
