History of Bangladesh Independence

• In 1947, India and Pakistan were established as two independent states.
• Pakistan consisted of two geographically separate regions: West and East Pakistan.
• East Pakistan was primarily inhabited by Bengali Muslims and Hindus.
• Bengalis faced exploitation, oppression, and discrimination from the inception of Pakistan.
• The Language Movement of 1952 was a significant event in the struggle against oppression.
• Other key events include the East-Pakistan Provincial Council elections, anti-military rule movement, education movement, Six-point movement of 1966, Agartala Conspiracy Case, cultural rights movement, Eleven-point movement, popular uprising in 1969, and the elections in 1970.
• These movements intensified the anti-Pakistan sentiment and fueled the desire for an independent Bangladesh.
• The armed Liberation War began in 1971, leading to Bangladesh's independence.

The Language Movement

• Post-independence, Pakistan faced a crisis of solidarity due to conflicting policies and ideologies.
• The two-nation theory (Hindus and Muslims as separate nations) was a primary justification for Pakistan's creation.
• Muhammad Ali Jinnah advocated for a unified Pakistani identity, transcending religious and ethnic distinctions.
• The government favored Islam and Urdu, marginalizing other languages, cultures, and religions, including Bangla literature.
• Linguist Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah and other intellectuals defended Bangla language, literature, culture, and heritage.
• Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah emphasized the undeniable Bengali identity beyond religious affiliations.
• Bengali intellectuals advocated for Bangla's recognition soon after Pakistan's independence, but the government conspired to impose Urdu as the sole state language.
• Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared Urdu as the only state language of Pakistan in March 1948 at Dhaka University's Curzon Hall, sparking immediate protests.
• Dhirendranath Dutta proposed Bangla as a state language in the National Assembly but was opposed by Prime Minister Liakot Ali Khan and many Bengali Muslim League members.
• Bangla's claim to state language status was rational as Bengalis constituted a majority (4 crore 40 lakh) of Pakistan's population (6 crore 90 lakh).
• The demand was for Bangla to be recognized alongside Urdu, not as the sole state language.
• The All Party State Language Committee was formed by politicians and Dhaka University students.
• Prominent figures in the Language Movement included Kazi Golam Mahbub, Shawkat Ali, Gaziul Huq, Mohammad Toaha, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Oli Ahad, and Abdul Matin.
• A strike was called on March 11, 1948, resulting in arrests, including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Oli Ahad, and Kazi Golam Mahbub, and injuries due to police brutality.
• Dhaka's educational institutions went on strike, and students planned to present a memorandum at the Pakistan National Assembly's winter session in 1952.
• The date for the demonstration was set for February 21.
• The government, led by East Bengal Chief Minister Nurul Amin, prohibited gatherings of more than four people in the Dhaka University area (Section 144).
• Students defied Section 144 and proceeded with a procession.
• Police used batons, tear gas, and opened fire on the procession led by Abdul Matin and Gaziul Huq.
• Rafik Uddin, Abdul Jabber, and Abul Barkat were killed instantly, and many others were injured, including Abdus Salam, who died later.
• On February 22, police firing on a student rally resulted in the deaths of Shafiur Rahman and a 9-year-old boy, Oliullah.
• Other anonymous individuals also died on February 21 and 22.
• These individuals are recognized as language martyrs.
• On February 23, Dhaka Medical College students erected a mausoleum at the site of the killings, which was replaced by the Central Shaheed Minar in 1963.

Significance of the Language Movement

• The Language Movement established the dignity of the Bangla language through sacrifice.
• The East Pakistan legislature favored Bangla as a state language.
• The first constitution of Pakistan in 1956 recognized Bangla as a state language.
• This marked the successful end of the Language Movement.
• The movement strengthened nationalist spirit among educated Bengalis.
• It instilled pride in Bangla language, literature, and heritage, and restored confidence among Bengalis.
• UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.

United Front

• Pakistani rulers' conspiracies led to grievances in East Bengal.
• Unity emerged among people of different opinions for self-protection and development.
• The ruling Muslim League became associated with conspiracy and repression.
• Major political parties formed the United Front to defeat the Muslim League in the 1954 election and establish Bengali rights.
• The United Front included the Awami Muslim League, Krishak Shramik Party, Nezam-e-Islami, Gonotantri Party, and Pakistan Khelafot e Rabbani Party.
• The election of 1954 was a provincial election in East Bengal, not a national assembly election.
• The election aimed to resist the Muslim League's undermining of the Bengali nation, language, and culture.
• The main contest was between the United Front and the Muslim League.
• The United Front was led by Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Haque, Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, and Hossain Shahid Suhrawardi.
• The United Front's 21-point manifesto included recognition of Bangla as a state language, abolition of the Zaminder system, nationalization of the jute industry, cooperative farming, compulsory free primary education, cancellation of unjust laws, construction of Shaheed Minar, declaration of February 21 as a public holiday, and autonomy for East Bengal.
• The manifesto also proposed the establishment of Bangla Academy for the development of Bangla language and literature.
• The United Front won 236 out of 309 seats in the 1954 election, marking a landslide victory.
• The Muslim League won only 9 seats.
• The victory was termed a "Ballot Revolution."
• The election was the first-ever adult franchise in East Bengal.
• Bengali nationalism motivated Bengalis to vote for the United Front.
• The Muslim League's defeat demonstrated that religion could not be used to deceive and oppress people.
• The election proved that governments could not suppress language and culture.
• The new nationalistic spirit motivated Bengalis in later events.
• The Muslim League became known as an anti-people party.
• Factionalism severely affected the party by 1957, leading to their removal from state power.
• The Muslim League's post-independence role angered Bengalis.
• The Language Movement inspired Bengalis to seek political change.
• The United Front presented diverse opinions under one banner.
• The election manifesto reflected the hopes and aspirations of the population.
• The 21-point program was a key reason for the United Front's success.
• The United Front combined old and young leaders and workers.
• Misrule, price hikes, oppression, factionalism, corruption, and disparity contributed to the Muslim League's defeat.

Achievements of Bangalees

• The Pakistani ruling class continuously conspired since independence.
• The United Front government was dissolved within two months using special powers.
• President Iskandar Mirza declared martial law on October 7, 1958, citing deterioration of law and order.
• General Ayub Khan ousted Iskandar Mirza and became president.
• Political parties were banned from 1958 to 1962.
• Many leaders were imprisoned.
• Bengali students stepped up to fill the political vacuum.
• Ayub Khan's new constitution undermined democratic aspirations of Bengalis.
• Students protested against the national education policy known as Sharif Commission.
• The Sharif Commission recommended Urdu as the sole medium of education, cancellation of free education, and reduced opportunities for higher education.
• Massive student protests forced the government to cancel the Sharif Commission's education policy.

The Six-Point Movement

• On February 5, 1966, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proposed the six-point program at a conference of opposition parties in Lahore.
• The six points demanded autonomy for East Pakistan.
• The people of East Pakistan would have the right to govern themselves within Pakistan.

The Six-Point Demand

• The constitution should be based on the Lahore Declaration of 1940, with a parliamentary form of government elected by adult franchise, and legislatures should have sovereignty.
• The federal government would handle defense and foreign affairs, while state governments would handle all other affairs.
• There should be two separate but freely convertible currencies or a single currency with safeguards to prevent capital flight from East to West Pakistan, with the responsibility of currency in the hands of the federal government.
• Taxation and revenue collection should be vested in state governments, with a fixed share provided to the federal government.
• Separate foreign exchange accounts for the two wings, with state governments having full rights over earned foreign exchange, and contribution to the federal government fixed at a ratio.
• East Pakistan should have a separate paramilitary force.
• General Ayub Khan feared the six-point demand would end exploitation of East Pakistan.
• The loss of East Pakistan would reduce foreign exchange earnings.
• Conspiracies began, and cases were filed against Awami League leaders, with arrests of party members.