The Bangladeshi Struggle for Independence: A Legacy of Resilience
Chapter 7: The Rise of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Awami League (1966-1970)
I. Introduction
A. Brief Biography of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, popularly known by the honorific prefix Bangabandhu (lit. 'Friend of Bengal'), was a Bangladeshi politician, revolutionary, statesman, activist, and diarist. Born on March 17, 1920, in Tungipara, Bengal Presidency, British India, he served as the President of Bangladesh from April 17, 1971, to January 12, 1972, and again from January 25, 1975, until his assassination on August 15, 1975. He also served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from January 12, 1972, to January 24, 1975.
B. The Formation and Early Years of the Awami League
The All Pakistan Awami Muslim League, which later became the Awami League, was founded in Dhaka, the capital of the Pakistani province of East Bengal, in 1949. The founders were Bengali nationalists Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, Shamsul Huq, and later joined by Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, who went on to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The party quickly gained massive popular support in East Bengal, later named East Pakistan, and eventually led the forces of Bengali nationalism in the struggle against West Pakistan's military and political establishment.
II. The Rise of Awami League
A. The Circumstances Leading to the Rise of the Awami League
The All Pakistan Awami Muslim League, which later became the Awami League, was founded in Dhaka, the capital of the Pakistani province of East Bengal, in 1949. The founders were Bengali nationalists Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, Shamsul Huq, and later joined by Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, who went on to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The party quickly gained massive popular support in East Bengal, later named East Pakistan, and eventually led the forces of Bengali nationalism in the struggle against West Pakistan's military and political establishment.
The party was established as the Bengali alternative to the domination of the Muslim League in Pakistan and over centralisation of the government. The party under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, led the struggle for independence, first through massive populist and civil disobedience movements, such as the Six Point Movement and 1971 Non-Cooperation Movement, and then during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
B. The Role of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in this Transformation
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, popularly known by the honorific prefix Bangabandhu (lit. 'Friend of Bengal'), was a Bangladeshi politician, revolutionary, statesman, activist, and diarist. He served as the President of Bangladesh from April 17, 1971, to January 12, 1972, and again from January 25, 1975, until his assassination on August 15, 1975. He also served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from January 12, 1972, to January 24, 1975.
In 1963, Mujib toyed with the idea of liberating Bangladesh with Indian assistance, but that didn’t work out. He is said to have secretly crossed the Indo-Pakistan border into Agartala, where he met Indian politicians exploring the possibilities of getting Nehru’s support to liberate East Pakistan from the western wing of Pakistan in that year. Soon after the demise of his leader, guide and philosopher Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy on 5 December 1963, Mujib revived the Awami League as an independent entity, by coming out of the National Democratic Front (NDF), which was a broad coalition of opposition parties in Pakistan against the quasi-military rule of Ayub Khan for the restoration of democracy.
In hindsight, it appears that by early 1964, Mujib’s emergence as the President of the Awami League transformed him into a national leader from a provincial one from East Pakistan, overnight. Afterwards, he did not look back until the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. He became East Bengal’s sole champion only around 1966. The charisma and tenacity he displayed as a champion for East Bengal led to his meteoric rise to the top.
However, two successive Pakistani military rulers—Ayub and Yahya—had a much greater contribution to his meteoric rise. Had not Ayub accused him of conspiring to separate East Pakistan from Pakistan in the Agartala Conspiracy Case in the most unconvincing way and Yahya transferred power to him after he won the 1970 elections, Mujib would have remained just another Bengali politician in united Pakistan. Ayub Khan’s unconditional withdrawal of the Agartala Conspiracy Case and the release of Mujib and the other co-prisoners on 22 February 1969 catapulted Mujib to the pinnacle of his popularity in East Pakistan.
Mujib had the extraordinary capability of appeasing or winning over political opponents, peers, followers and potential allies. During the brief period of his political ascendancy from 1963 to 1971, he almost always outsmarted them. He outwitted Pakistani and Indian politicians, including Ayub, Yahya and Indira Gandhi. Politicians from Bangladesh, including seniors like Maulana Bhashani and Ataur Rahman Khan, as well as the over-rated Tajuddin and the over-ambitious Serajul Alam Khan, were simply not in his league. He was much better at convincing people by telling them what they wanted to hear from him or by doing what they wanted him to do than most in Bangladesh.
III. The Six Points of Awami League
A. Detailed Analysis of the Six Points of Awami League
The Six Points, spearheaded by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, called for greater autonomy for East Pakistan. The main agenda was to realize the six demands put forward by a coalition of Bengali nationalist political parties in 1966, to end the perceived exploitation of East Pakistan by the West Pakistani rulers. It is considered a milestone on the road to Bangladesh's independence.
The six points of the formula were:
- A form of federal government, a parliamentary system directly elected via one-person-one-vote.
- Two separate reserve banks and currencies for the two wings of Pakistan.
- Other than defense and foreign policy, all issues will be dealt with by the federal provinces.
- A paramilitary force for East Pakistan.
- Fiscal affairs, such as taxation and resources allocation, will be state responsibility.
- Monetary and trade policies, such as foreign reserve maintenance and establishing trade links, will be handled separately by the two wings.
B. Their Demands for Greater Autonomy
The Six Points were a demand for greater autonomy within the framework of a federal system. They were a response to the perceived economic and political domination of East Pakistan by West Pakistan. The Six Points demanded a federal structure of government based on the spirit of the Lahore Resolution of 1940, with a parliament elected on the basis of universal adult franchise. The central government would have authority only in defense and foreign affairs, and all other subjects would be handled by the federating units of the state of Pakistan.
C. The Impact of These Points on Bengali Political Discourse
The Six Points have been widely acknowledged as the "charter of freedom" for Bengalis and the movement in June 1966 for their implementation was a turning point in Bangladesh's struggle for freedom from Pakistani colonial domination. The Six Points motivated Bengalis to be vocal against any injustice, irregularity, misgovernance, corruption, exploitation, and torture. The Six Points placed Mujib and a large section of Bengali Awami Leaguers on a collision course with the All-Pakistan Awami League led by Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan. They also provoked the fury of President Mohammad Ayub Khan, the self-styled field marshal who openly threatened to use what he imperiously called the language of weapons against the proponents of the Six Points. The plan, as Ayub and his regime saw it, was aimed at causing Pakistan’s break-up and the departure of its eastern province from the rest of the country.
IV. The Growing Popularity of Mujib
A. Discussion on the Increasing Popularity of Mujib
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's popularity grew exponentially during the period of 1963 to 1971. His charisma and tenacity as a champion for East Bengal led to his meteoric rise to the top. However, two successive Pakistani military rulers—Ayub and Yahya—had a much greater contribution to his meteoric rise. Ayub Khan’s unconditional withdrawal of the Agartala Conspiracy Case and the release of Mujib and the other co-prisoners on 22 February 1969 catapulted Mujib to the pinnacle of his popularity in East Pakistan.
Mujib had the extraordinary capability of appeasing or winning over political opponents, peers, followers, and potential allies. During the brief period of his political ascendancy from 1963 to 1971, he almost always outsmarted them. He outwitted Pakistani and Indian politicians, including Ayub, Yahya, and Indira Gandhi. Politicians from Bangladesh, including seniors like Maulana Bhashani and Ataur Rahman Khan, as well as the over-rated Tajuddin and the over-ambitious Serajul Alam Khan, were simply not in his league. He was much better at convincing people by telling them what they wanted to hear from him or by doing what they wanted him to do than most in Bangladesh.
B. The Increasing Demand for Self-Determination
The demand for self-determination grew significantly during this period. The 1971 East Pakistan refugee crisis was seen as a political issue of self-determination for the people of East Pakistan. This was a response to the violation of their collective rights even as the UNHCR-led international community focused on apolitical humanitarianism. The principle of national self-determination led to an increase in the number of conflicts within states, as sub-groups sought greater self-determination and full secession.
C. Utilization of Data on Election Results and Public Opinion Polls
The election results and public opinion polls during this period further demonstrated Mujib's growing popularity. His popularity, however, did not last long after he became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh due to a number of internal and external factors, including his own shortcomings. Despite these challenges, Mujib's leadership and the Awami League's policies had a profound impact on the political landscape of Bangladesh.
VI. Conclusion
A. Reflection on the Legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Awami League
The legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Awami League is deeply etched in the history of Bangladesh. Their struggle for independence, their fight for the rights of the Bengali people, and their vision for a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh have left an indelible mark on the nation. Mujib, in particular, is revered as the 'Father of the Nation'. His leadership during the tumultuous years leading up to independence has been a source of inspiration for generations of Bangladeshis.
The Awami League, under Mujib's leadership, played a pivotal role in the struggle for independence. The party's Six Points program became the charter for the Bengali nationalist movement. Even today, the Awami League continues to be a major political force in Bangladesh, carrying forward Mujib's vision.
B. The Lasting Impact of Their Struggle on the Independence of Bangladesh
The struggle for independence led by Mujib and the Awami League had a profound impact on the course of Bangladesh's history. It not only led to the creation of an independent nation but also instilled a deep sense of nationalism and pride among the Bengali people. The principles of democracy, social justice, and economic equality that were championed by Mujib and the Awami League continue to guide the nation's policies and aspirations.
In conclusion, the period of 1966-1970 was a defining moment in the history of Bangladesh. The rise of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Awami League during this period set the stage for the eventual independence of Bangladesh. Their struggle for autonomy, their fight for the rights of the Bengali people, and their vision for a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh have left a lasting legacy. It is a legacy that continues to shape the political, social, and economic landscape of Bangladesh. As we look back on this period, we are reminded of the resilience, courage, and determination of the Bengali people. It is a testament to their indomitable spirit and their unwavering belief in the ideals of freedom and justice.
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