June 7 is observed across Bangladesh as Historic Six-Point Day, a turning point in the country’s struggle for freedom. On this day in 1966, the people of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) stood up with unwavering resolve in support of the Six-Point Movement, led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, demanding autonomy and justice for Bengalis.
The Birth of the Six-Point Movement
In the face of decades of political discrimination and economic exploitation by the West Pakistani regime, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the undisputed leader of the Bengali nation, unveiled the Six-Point demands in February 1966 at a political conference in Lahore.
These points called for greater provincial autonomy, control over economy and taxation, separate currencies or fiscal systems, and control over trade and law enforcement. In short, it was a direct challenge to the centralized and unfair system that kept East Pakistan subjugated.
The Six Points Summarized
1. Federal government structure based on the 1940 Lahore Resolution.
2. Two separate, convertible currencies or strong safeguards for one currency.
3. Power of taxation and revenue collection to rest with provinces.
4. Separate foreign exchange earnings for East Pakistan.
5. Autonomy over trade, commerce, and foreign aid for each wing.
6. A separate militia or paramilitary force for East Pakistan.
These were not just policy proposals—they were a declaration of economic and political rights, and a demand for dignity and self-governance for the people of East Pakistan.
June 7, 1966: A Day of Sacrifice
The Six-Point Movement quickly gained widespread public support, alarming the central government. On June 7, 1966, a nationwide hartal (strike) was called by the Awami League in support of the demands.
The government responded with brutal force. Police opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in Dhaka and Narayanganj, killing at least 11 people, including Shamsul Haque and Shahidul Islam, who are now remembered as martyrs of the Six-Point Movement.
Despite repression and arrests—including that of Sheikh Mujib himself—the movement could not be silenced. It became the political manifesto of the Bengali nationalist cause.
Legacy and Significance
The Six-Point Movement laid the ideological foundation for the 1971 Liberation War. It transformed the demand for autonomy into a mass movement and turned Sheikh Mujibur Rahman into the voice of the Bengali nation. His leadership during this time would ultimately lead to a landslide victory for the Awami League in the 1970 general elections—a mandate that the West Pakistani regime refused to honor, triggering the events that led to independence.
June 7, 1966, is thus remembered not just as a date in history, but as a defining moment in Bangladesh’s march toward sovereignty. It is a day to honor the courage, unity, and sacrifices of the Bengali people who stood up for their rights, paving the way for the birth of a new nation.
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On this Historic Six-Point Day, Bangladesh pays tribute to the vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the bravery of those who gave their lives for justice, autonomy, and ultimately, freedom.