Bangladesh Liberation War: History and Movements

• In 1947, India and Pakistan were formed as two independent states.
• Pakistan was divided into West and East Pakistan, with East Pakistan primarily populated by Bengali Muslims and Hindus.
• Since Pakistan's establishment, Bengalis faced exploitation, oppression, and discrimination.
• The Language Movement of 1952, East-Pakistan Provincial Council elections, anti-military rule movement, and Education movement were significant.
• The Six-point movement of 1966, Agartala conspiracy Case, cultural rights movement, Eleven point movement, the popular uprising in 1969, and the elections in 1970 played pivotal roles in awakening Bengali nationalism.
• These movements intensified the anti-Pakistan sentiment.
• Inspired by the desire for an independent Bangladesh, the Liberation War began in 1971. Bangladesh achieved independence through the Liberation War.

The Language Movement

• Post-independence of Pakistan, confusion arose regarding state policies and ideologies.
• The logic behind Pakistan's creation was the idea that Hindus and Muslims were distinct nations.
• Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the initiator of the two-nation theory, declared that everyone would be Pakistani, regardless of their religious or ethnic identity.
• The focus was always on Islam and Urdu, leading to opposition against other religions, languages, and cultures, including Bangla literature.
• The Pakistani government adopted a hostile stance towards literary figures like Rabindranath, Michael, and Bankim.
• Linguist Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah, along with other intellectuals, advocated for the protection of Bangla language, literature, culture, and heritage.
• The issue of state language arose soon after Pakistan's independence.
• Conscious and literate Bengalis in East Bengal supported Bangla.
• The Pakistani government conspired to make Urdu the state language.
• In March 1948, Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared Urdu as the sole state language of Pakistan at a meeting in Dhaka University.
• Students protested, and educationalists, litterateurs, intellectuals, and political leaders supported Bangla.
• Dhirendranath Dutta proposed Bangla as the state language of Pakistan.
• Prime Minister Liakot Ali Khan strongly opposed this proposition, with many Bangalee members of the Muslim League also opposing it.
• In the 1940s, the population included 6 crore 90 lakh total people, with 4 crore and 40 lakh being Bangalees.
• Urdu was not the mother tongue of the remaining two and a half crore people.
• The Pakistani ruling group sought to impose the language of the minority on the majority Bangalees.
• The Bangalees sought recognition of Bangla alongside Urdu, not as the only state language.
• The All Party State Language Committee was formed with politicians and Dhaka University students to ensure the right to the mother tongue. Kazi Golam Mahbub, Shawkat Ali, Gaziul Huq, Mohammad Toaha, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Oli Ahad, and Abdul Matin were active in the movement.
• A strike was called on March 11, 1948, and leaders like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Oli Ahad, and Kazi Golam Mahbub were arrested.
• Students were injured due to police brutality, but the movement persisted; Dhaka University and other academic institutions went on strike.
• In 1952, students planned to lay siege at the Pakistan National Assembly in Dhaka and present a memorandum on February 21.
• The Muslim League government, led by East Bengal's chief minister Nurul Amin, decided to resist the students and imposed Section 144 in the Dhaka University area.
• Students decided to violate Section 144 to carry out the procession.
• Armed police attacked the demonstrating students, using batons and tear gas initially.
• Abdul Matin and Gaziul Huq led the procession, and police opened fire, resulting in the deaths of Rafik Uddin, Abdul Jabbar, and Abul Barkat.
• Many others were injured and admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where Abdus Salam died.
• On February 22, police fired on a student rally, killing Shafiur Rahman and Oliullah, a 9-year-old boy.
• Numerous anonymous individuals also died on February 21 and 22, becoming language martyrs.
• On February 23rd, Dhaka Medical College students erected a mausoleum on the spot where the students were killed on February 21.
• Replaced by a larger one in 1963, this temporary structure is currently known as the Central Shaheed Minar.

Significance of Language Movement

• The Bangalees shed blood to establish the dignity of their mother tongue.
• Eventually, the East Pakistan legislature favored Bangla as one of the state languages.
• The first constitution of Pakistan in 1956 recognized Bangla as a state language.
• The Language Movement achieved a successful conclusion, resulting in both Bangla and Urdu being declared state languages, marking a victory for the Bangalees.
• The people's movement strengthened nationalist spirit among educated Bangalees.
• They regained their confidence, in Bangla language, Bangla literature and thousand years' heritage.
• The movement is globally recognized, with UNESCO declaring February 21st as International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.
• Nations worldwide observe this day to tribute their mother tongues.
• They also commemorate the Bangalees' supreme sacrifice during the Language Movement.

United Front

• From its origins, the conspiracies of Pakistani rulers caused unhappiness among the people of East Bengal.
• People of different opinions built unity on the issue of self protection and development.
• Major political parties and their leaders aimed to defeat the Muslim League in the election and establish the rights of the Bangalees.
• They create an alliance ahead of the election of East Bengal Provincial Assembly in 1954, this alliance is known as the United Front.
• The Awami Muslim League, Krishak Shramik Party, Nejam-e-Islami, Gonotantri Party, Pakistan khelafot e Rabbani Party joined the United Front during this election.
• This front played a significant role in the movement towards liberation.
• The election of 1954 was exclusively a provincial election of East Bengal.
• The main contest was between the United Front and the Muslim League.
• It aimed to resist the Muslim League's actions that undermined the Bangalee nation, Bangla language, and culture.
• Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque, Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, and Hossain Shahid Suhrawardi led the Front.
• The United Front announced a 21-point manifesto.
• It proposed the recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan.
• It proposed the cancellation of the Zaminder system.
• It proposed the nationalisation of the jute industry.
• It proposed the introduction of cooperative farming, and compulsory free primary education for implementation.
• This also included cancellation of all unjust laws violating human rights.
• This also included construction of Shaheed Minar for the language martyrs.
• This also included declaration of 21st February as a public holiday and autonomy to East Bengal.
• This also included Bangla Academy establishment for Bangla language development.

Result of the Election

• The United Front secured a significant victory with 236 out of 309, but only 9 seats came from Muslim League.
• Newspapers termed this victory of United Front a Ballot Revolution.
• It proved that no government could continue ruling while suppressing language and culture.

Reasons behind the Defeat of Muslim League and Victory of United Front

• Factors such as the role of the Muslim League post-independence angered the Bangalees.
• The Language Movement success inspired political change.
• The United Front presented diverse ideologies under one banner.
• The election manifesto reflected the population's hopes and aspirations.
• Recognition of the Bangla language, provincial autonomy, and the 21-point program also contributed to the success.
• The United Front's unique mixture of old and young leaders and workers, along with the hard work of the young workers.
• Factors such as misrule, price-hike, oppression, factionalism, corruption, and disparity between the two parts of Pakistan led to the defeat of Muslim League.

Achievements of Bangalees

• The Pakistani establishment dissolved the United Front government within two months.
• Iskandar Mirza declared martial law on 7 October 1958 due to law deterioration.
• Ayub Khan ousted Iskandar Mirza from the presidency and proclaimed himself as the President.
• Bangalee students protested the ban on political parties from 1958 to 1962.
• Ayub Khan introduced a constitution scattering the democratic aspirations of Bangalees.
• The movement grew stronger with the declaration of national education policy and Sharif Commission recommended Urdu as a medium of education.
• There was massive protest from the students, and the government canceled the Sharif Commission's education policy.

The Six-Point Movement

• On February 5, 1966, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proposed the six-point program in Lahore.
• The points demanded autonomy for East Pakistan, allowing its people the right to rule themselves while staying united with West Pakistan.

The Six-Point Demand

• A new constitution should follow the Lahore Resolution of 1940, be based on a parliamentary government, and ensure adult franchise and legislative sovereignty.
• The federal government will control defence and foreign affairs; state governments will handle the remaining affairs.
• There must be two separate but freely convertible currencies.
• The federal government would manage currency.
• Two central banks for both wings should be introduced.
• Taxation and revenue collection power should rest with state governments.
• The federal government would receive a fixed share from the states.
• Two separate accounts for foreign exchange earnings needs to be introduced.
• State governments have full rights over earnings and equally contribute to the federal government or in a fixed ratio.
• Constitutions should enable units to establish trade links with foreign countries.
• East Pakistan should maintain a paramilitary force.

Reaction to Six-Point Demand

• General Ayub Khan feared the six-point demand, realizing autonomy would end exploitation of East Pakistan.
• The greatest source of exchange earning by West Pakistan was jute of the East.
• This earning was being diverted to civil and military sectors of the West instead of the East Pakistan.
• Conspiracies began again, and cases filed against Awami Leauge leaders in various districts of the province.
• Leaders and workers of the Awami League were arrested.

Historic case of Agartala

• The Ayub government alleged subversive activities against civil and military personnel in East Pakistan in 1968 to stop the six-point movement.
• The Pakistan government filed the Agartala Conspiracy Case, accusing 35 people including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of attempting to create an independent state in East Pakistan with Indian support.
• The government sought to prove all 35 were enemies of Pakistan so that they could be awarded capital punnishment., aiming to suppress political agitations.
• Massive protests led by Maulana Bhashani compelled the military government to withdraw the case and release all prisoners.

11-Point Movement

• Students of Dhaka University took to the streets with 11-point demands alongside the existing six points, which started mass demonstration.
• The demands included parliamentary democracy, complete autonomy for East Pakistan, nationalisation of banks, lessening of tax for farmers, freeing of prisoners, and withdrawal of their cases.

The Mass Uprising of 1969

• In January 1969, Chhatra League, Chhatra Union and Jatiyo Chhatra Federation formed "Chhatra Songram Parishad" to oust General Ayub Khan.
• Students started agitation programs in favor of the 11 points along with the six points of Awami League.
• On January 20, 1969, the police opened fire on agitators in Dhaka, resulting in the death of Asaduzzaman, a student of Dhaka University.
• The killing turned the agitation into a mass uprising.
• On February 15, 1969, Sgt. Zahurul Huq, accused in the Agartala case, was shot dead in captivity at Kurmitola cantonment in Dhaka.
• On February 18th, Dr. Shamsuzzoha, a Rajshahi University teacher, was brutally killed by Pakitan Army personnel.
• The government withdrew the Agartala case and unconditionally released all accused on February 22, 1969.
• General Ayub Khan resigned from the presidency on March 25 and handed over power to General Yahiya Khan.

General Election of 1970

• Yahiya Khan pledged to hold a general election in 1970.
• The election was held on December 7, 1970, for the Pakistan National Assembly.
• Out of 313 seats, 169 were allocated to East Pakistan.
• The main opponents were Awami League and Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
• Awami League won 167, while PPP got 88.
• Awami League had the majority in East Pakistan, while PPP had the majority in the West.
• On December 17, the provincial election was held and Awami League came out as the majority with 298, while PPP got 88.

Significance of the Election

• The Election in 1970 increased the movement pace towards liberation.
• The Awami League's mandate validated the demand for autonomy.

Disparity between East and West Pakistan

• From its origin, Bengalis received discrimination from West Pakistani rulers.
• The relation between the wings was that of an exploiter and the exploited class.
• This was a deliberate attempt to keep the Bangalees dominated.
• They demonstrated discontent through various ways.

Political Disparity

• The Bangalees faced political discrimination in the newly created Pakistan.
• Even though Banglaees were a majority, Karachi of West Pakistan was named the capital.
• The West Pakistanis had choice in all senior level positions.

Disparity in Administration

• Despite qualifications, Bangalees were deprived of joining administrative jobs.
• West Pakistanis would appoint their won people in positions.
• Most jobs where held by West Pakistanis, as opposed to Banglaees.
• Top level jobs such as defence and foreign affairs was out of reach.
• Only 23% of class 1 job roles were Bangalees.

Disparity in Defence Forces

• The HQ of defence forces were in West Pakistan.
• Only 5% of officers in defense forces were Bangalees, and just 4% army personnel.
• In the Pakistan Total budget, 60% was used for defence, but most was spent in West Pakistan.

Disparity in Economy

• The head offices of the central government were in West Pakistan.
• East Pakistan was credited the lion's share of the foreign exchange.
• However, the East never got over more than 21% of its share.
• Bangalees however were obligated to carry West Pakistanis burden of foreign loans.

Cultural Discrimination

• To suppress the Bangla language and culture, Pakistani rulers attempted to impose Urdu as the state language.
• In 1952 many Banglaees had to sacrifice their rights to establish their mother tongue.
• The government restricted over movies, plays, and newspaper and book publication.
• They forbade the observance of Bangla New Year, and Rabindra Sangeet broadcasting.

Reactions against Discrimination

• The Language Movement was the movement intiation of Anti Pakistani agitation.
• The student agitations against the Sharif Committee led to against the Ayub Khan martial law government.
• A cultural renaissance came from celebrations of Biswa Kabi Rabindranath Thakur's.

Reactions to 6 and 11 point

• Government rejected rightful demand of Banglaees and started 6 and 11 point movements.
• Also Pakistani rulers started hatching plans to play divide and rule games.
• The mass uprising helped force the government to resign historic Agartala case.

Reaction to Mass Uprising

• The mass uprising forced the government to withdraw historic Agartala case, but it also allowed Ayub khan to resign.
• The election that year was won by Bangabandhu.
• This prompted Pakistani rulers to launch a sudden attack on them.

Start of Independence

• Rajarbagh was attacked, news was telecasted from the police.
• Bangabandhu was arrested, and Ziaur Rahman declared independence in the 26th.
• And 1971 after the war, Pakistan was liberated.
• The people won and as a result Bangladesh emerged as an independent country.

Explore the historical events leading to the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. From the Language Movement of 1952 to the Six-Point Movement, discover the key moments that fueled Bengali nationalism and the struggle for independence from Pakistan.