The historic Six-Point Day is being observed today in Bangladesh.Bengalis of the then East Pakistan joined Awami League’s call for a daylong shutdown on this day in 1966 to press for specific demands including autonomy.Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had placed the demands several months earlier to end the tyranny of the then Pakistan government and their oppression of the Bengalis. At the call of Awami League, the people of the then East Pakistan joined the Six-Point Movement spontaneously and observed the dawn-to-dusk hartal across the province.The law enforcers opened fire on demonstrators at various places in Dhaka and Narayanganj, killing at least 10 people. The killings intensified the movement.The six points included having 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.It also asked for the central government’s authority only in defence and foreign affairs and vesting all other subjects in the federating units of the state of Pakistan.It proposed two freely convertible currencies for the two wings of Pakistan or two separate reserve banks for the two regions of the country; vesting power of taxation and revenue collection in the federating units; and two separate accounts for foreign exchange reserves for the two wings of Pakistan. Also read: PM Hasina remembers Bangabandhu on historic six-point dayIt also demanded a separate militia or paramilitary force for East Pakistan as a measure of its security.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic six-point day. The premier placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in Dhaka. After laying the wreath in the morning, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence. Flanked by senior Awami League leaders, Hasina placed another wreath at the portrait as the party chief. Also read: Bangabandhu Memorial Museum: Witness to History and Tragedy Later, associate bodies of Awami League, including Dhaka city AL, Chhatra League, Jubo League, Sramik League, Krishak League, Mohila Awami League and Swechchhasebak League placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu marking the historic occasion. On this day in 1966, Bangabandhu launched a massive movement against the misrule of the Pakistanis on the basis of the six- point demand, the Magna Carta of the Bangalees demanding autonomy for the then East Pakistan. Also read: Mujibnagar Day: PM pays tribute to Bangabandhu The Awami League under the leadership of Bangabandhu called for a day-long hartal on June 7 in 1966 throughout then East Pakistan pressing the demand for autonomy to end the exploitation, deprivation, subjugation and tyranny of the then central government of Pakistan on the people here. Ten people, including labour leader Manu Mian, Shafique and Shamsul Haque, were killed as the police and paramilitary East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) opened fire on the demonstrators on the day in Dhaka, Tongi and Narayanganj during the hartal. The Pakistani atrocities intensified the movement for provincial autonomy turning it into the historic mass upsurge in 1969 that subsequently caused the downfall of the reign of Field Marshal Ayub Khan. END/UNB/FF/F

The historic Six-Point Day was observed in Bangladesh on Tuesday, commemorating the placing of the demand for autonomy for the erstwhile East Pakistan. The people of then East Pakistan had joined the Awami League’s call for a daylong shutdown on this day in 1966 to press for specific demands including autonomy. Also read: Seed of ultimate freedom sown through 6-point demand in 1966: Joy Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had placed the demands several months earlier to end the exploitation, deprivation, subjugation and tyranny of the then Pakistani government on the people of the eastern province. At the call of Awami League, the people of then East Pakistan joined the Six-Point Movement spontaneously and observed the dawn-to-dusk hartal across the province. The law enforcers opened fire on demonstrators at various places in Dhaka and Narayanganj, killing at least 10 people. The killings intensified the movement. The six points included having 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. It also asked for the central government’s authority only in defence and foreign affairs and vesting all other subjects in the federating units of the state of Pakistan. It proposed two freely convertible currencies for the two wings of Pakistan or two separate reserve banks for the two regions of the country; vesting power of taxation and revenue collection in the federating units; and two separate accounts for foreign exchange reserves for the two wings of Pakistan. It also demanded a separate militia or paramilitary force for East Pakistan as a measure of its security. The ruling AL, its associate bodies, other political parties and socio-cultural organisations observed the day with various programmes. Also read: 6-points anniversary: Bangladesh to keep advancing with dignity, says PM Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages recalling the sacrifices of the heroic Bangalis in the six-point movement. About the historic six-point programme, Hasina said it was presented by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the “Magna Carta” of Bangalis as it had prepared the people for the independence. “The Six-Point Demand was to prepare the people fully with the spirit of liberation, and prepare them to participate in the Liberation War,” she said while addressing a discussion through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganobhaban. Bangladesh Awami League arranged the discussion at its central office in the city’s Bangabandhu Avenue marking the historic Six-Point Day.  She said Bangabandhu himself formulated the Six-Point Demand. After Bangabandhu got released from jail on 17 December, 1959 and then joined Alfa insurance company due to ban on politics at that time, his personal assistant Mohammad Hanif wrote it on typewriter taking dictation from Bangabandhu. “I think no other demand got so much popularity in a very short time in world history,” said Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu. She said the country had achieved independence due to firm belief and confidence, courage, honesty and foresight of Bangabandhu.

Bangladesh Awami League will observe the historic six-point day on Monday to mark the launching of the charter by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1966. A press release from the ruling party said it will pay homage at the portrait of Bangabandhu at the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at Dhanmondi at 9 am. Read:Two senior AL lawmakers blast corruption and tax proposals on private universities The party will hoist the national and party flags on the premises of the central office in Dhaka and its offices across the country. Obaidul Quader, general secretary of Awami League, has urged all to  unitedly build a developed, prosperous and welfare state under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also instructed all party and associate body leaders, activists, followers to observe the day maintaining the proper Covid-19 health protocols. Read:PM calls for massive tree plantation to save environment Bangabandhu launched his historic six-point movement, known as a charter of freedom for Bengalis, for greater autonomy for then-East Pakistan in 1966. The movement was a turning point in Bangladesh's struggle for independence and freedom from Pakistani colonial domination. Read:Awami League MP Aslamul Haq dies

The historic Six-Point Day is being observed in the country on Sunday in a different manner due to coronavirus pandemic.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday urged the leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies to work dedicatedly to tackle the crisis due to coronavirus pandemic.