DHAKA, June 6, 2018 (BSS) – The historic Six-Point Day, marking the
demand for autonomy for former East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, will be
observed tomorrow across the country in a befitting manner.
On June 7 in 1966, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh mujibur
Rahman launched a massive movement against the misrule of the Pakistanis on
the basis of the 6-point demand, the Magna Carta of the Bengalis demanding
autonomy for the then east Pakistan.
The nation will pay homage tomorrow to its brave sons who laid down
their lives 56 years ago for establishing the right of self determination of
the Bengalis.
Eleven people, including Manu Mian, Shafique and Shamsul Haque, were
gunned down by the police and paramilitary EPR on June 7, 1966 in Dhaka and
Narayanganj during a hartal called for the release of Bangabandhu and other
leaders detained for launching the Six-Point Movement against the then
barbaric ruling clique.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman launched his historic six-point
political and economic programme in Lahore on February 5 in 1966, aiming at
attaining greater autonomy for the then East Pakistan in the backdrop of
exploitation and discrimination by the then Pakistani rulers.
The six-point demands were – creating provision in the constitution for
a Federation of Pakistan in its true sense based on the Lahore resolution,
the federal government will deal with only two subjects: Defence and Foreign
Affairs, introduction of two separate, but freely convertible currencies for
East and West Pakistan, vesting the power of taxation and revenue collection
with the federating units, maintaining two separate accounts for the foreign
exchange earnings of the two wings and creation a separate militia or
paramilitary force for East Pakistan.
To mark the day, different socio-political organisations including Awami
League, its associate bodies and like-minded socio-cultural organisations
have drawn up elaborate programmes.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued
separate messages on the eve of the six-point day.
In his message, President Hamid said the spirit of historic six-point
demand inspires all to strengthen and institutionalise the existing
democratic system as well as build a hunger- and poverty-free Bangladesh.
Terming the historic six-point demand the milestone in the country’s
long struggle for independence, he said six-point contained reasons and
inevitability of the independence of Bangladesh.
Abdul Hamid paid rich tributes to the memories of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the exponent of the historic six-point
demand, and all the martyrs of June 7.
After the announcement of six-point demand, the President said the
Pakistani rulers arrested Bangabandhu and tortured him inhumanly, which could
not deter him from the path of movement.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the present government
is firmly committed to free the country’s people from exploitation and
deprivation imbued with the spirit of all democratic movements and struggles,
including the historic June 7.
She said the historic June 7 is an unforgettable day in the struggle for
independence of the Bengalis. “The historic movement for six-point demand,
declared by greatest Bengali of all time Bangabandhu, took an important turn
on June 7, 1966,” 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 reaffirmed her vows to materialise the dream of the martyrs of June 7
by building a hunger-, poverty-, terrorism- and corruption-free modern and
non-communal digital Bangladesh by 2021, the year of the golden jubilee of
the country’s independence.
Awami League, its front organisations and a number of socio-cultural
bodies have taken various programmes to observe the day.
The Awami League’s programmes include hoisting of the national and party
flags atop Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi and central office in the capital
and all unit offices across the country.
Leaders and activists of Awami League and its front organisations will
place floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Bhaban at
Dhanmondi around 9.30 am.
Joint general secretary of Awami League Mahmubul Alam Hanif in a
statement urged all, including party men, to observe the day in a befitting
manner.