Historic 6-Point Day today

The historic Six-Point Day, marking the demand for autonomy of the then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, is being observed today (Wednesday) across the country in a befitting manner.

Father of the Nation 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 provisions in the constitution for a Federation of Pakistan in its true sense based on the Lahore Resolution that 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.

On June 7 in 1966, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman launched a massive movement against the misrule of the then Pakistan government on the basis of the 6-point demand, the Magna Carta of the Bengalis, demanding autonomy for the then East Pakistan.

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.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the eve of the six-point day.

Marking the historic Six-Point Day, ruling Awami League (AL), its associate bodies and like-minded socio-cultural organisations have drawn up elaborate programmes.

The AL’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.