Morning News
24th February 1969
Reiterates 6 points, backs 11 points: Mujib for sovereign parliament on adult franchise basis
(By our staff Reporter)
SHEIKH MUJIBUR RAHMAN YESTERDAY TOLD A MAMMOTH PUBLIC GATHERING AT THE RACE COURSE MAIDAN THAT WHEN HE GOES TO RAWALPINDI HE WOULD PLACE THE DEMANDS OF THE PEOPLE OF EAST AND WEST PAKISTAN FOR A SOVEREIGN PARLIAMENT DIRECTLY ELECTED ON THE BASIS OF ADULT FRANCHISE.
THE SHEIKH IN HIS FIRST MAJOR PUBLIC SPEECH AFTER 33 MONTHS OF DETENTION TOLD A TUMULTUOUSLY CHEERING CROWD THAT HE NOT ONLY SUPPORTED THE 11-POINT DEMANDS OF THE STUDENTS, BUT, IF NECESSARY, WOULD COURT DETENTION AGAIN IN THE STRUGGLE FOR THEIR FULFILMENTS.
He said that when the students asked him whether he supported their demands “I told them how could I not because your eleven points embody my party’s six points.”
The Sheikh touched upon all the important political and economic issues that are facing the country. He unequivocally declared that no East Pakistani nor his party wanted secession. He said when in 1966 he placed his six-point demands before the regime they dubbed it as a secessionist movement.
He posed a question why the Eastern Wing with its 56 percent of population of the country would go for secession. “It they (West Pakistan) want it they can do it. What we want are legitimate rights as citizens of Pakistan.”
The Sheikh cautioned the people that it was the Government and vested interests who were trying to create a division between the people of East and West Pakistan to “perpetuate themselves.” As for himself he said there was no distinction between the oppressed people of Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan, North West Frontier or East Pakistan.
APPEAL FOR PEACE
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his nearly hour-long speech called upon the Government to refrain from all provocative activities, the people of East Pakistan are peaceful. “Don’t provoke them.” He appealed to the people to form committee of actions in different mohallas to ensure peaceful nature of the present movement.
In his appeal for maintaining peace Sheikh Mujib said that everyone whether he is a Behari or Bengalee, Hindu or Muslim who lived in this country was our brother. He asked for a complete communal harmony among all sections of people.
Elaborating his own solution of the political problems the Sheikh said he wanted full regional autonomy for East Pakistan on the basis of his six-point programmes. His proposal is for a sub- federation in West Pakistan with autonomy for the constituting provinces.
He said he was aware of the popular resentment against One Unit in West Pakistan and asked the Government to leave the issue with the people of West Pakistan for decision, Nothing should be imposed on the people, he said.
NO PARITY
The Sheikh rejected the principle of parity between the two provinces and said under the plea of parity only disparity has increased. He said representation of East Pakistan in national affairs should be strictly on the basis of population.
Sheikh Mujib said that the people of East Pakistan had accepted parity in representation only on the condition that parity would be observed in the administrative spheres also. He said in actual fact East Pakistan did not even get ten percent representation in the administration. On the other hand disparity has increased every day. The people of East Pakistan, he said, have been deceived and were no longer prepared to accept parity. “Whoever in East Pakistan would talk of parity does not have a place here.”
LEGITIMATE RIGHTS
He said there were a number of points involved on the question of legitimate rights of East Pakistan. The first was the question of capital of the country. The capital which generates capital formation being in West Pakistan has given rise to paucity of capital in East Pakistan. The Second Capital was only a show- room. He said 80 percent of the defence budget which in its turn constituted over 60 percent of country’s total budget was being spent in West Pakistan because the defence establishments were in West Pakistan.
Referring to the genesis of his six-point programme Sheikh Mujib recalled the painful experience during the September War in 1965. He said for all practical purposes the province was cut off from the seat of the administration and even the President could not come to East Pakistan. And it was against that background that he had placed his six-point demands before the Government.
The legitimate demands of East Pakistan did not mean that East Pakistanis had any grudge against their West Pakistani brethren. Oppressed anywhere were the same. It was basically a humanitarian question. He reminded the students that when one of them had been killed in Dacca, students in Karachi, Lahore, Pindi and Peshawar had laid down their lives in protest.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman regretted that “for the last 20 years oppressors after oppressors” have ruled this country and he common man including the peasants, workers and the middle class had been deprived of their due share. Pakistan, he said, was not created for a few. It was created for the 12 crore people of the country.
In this connection Sheikh Mujib sounded a note of caution against the 20 or 22 families of the countries who had amassed the wealth that they would be well-advised to give the due share to the people in the factories and industries and the peasants. For one day may come when the workers would not be satisfied with a small increase of ten or 12 rupes, They may demand everything.
TRIBUTE TO STUDENTS
Sheikh Mujib paid glowing tributes to the correct leadership of the student community throughout the country. The present movement, he said, was unparalleled in country’s history. The students, he said, were really capable leaders to guide the mass movement. “The days of achkan and pajama” politics were gone, he added amidst laughter.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman held the Provincial Governor Abdul Monem Khan responsible for the disturbances and massacres. Comparing him with Namrud he said it was he who had let loose a reign of terror and “danda.” He did not know why Mr. Monem Khan had been made the Governor of the Province unless Bit was a move to insult the people of this province.
He said he knew how the Governor had telephoned officers- in-charge of thanas to use force whenever the people had raised any demand. He also knew how the Army had been reluctant to come to the aid of the civil administration. He posed a question for the Governor: If you cannot run the administration why don’t you quit?
In denouncing the repressive measures of the Government, Sheikh Mujib demanded the immediate withdrawal of curfew. Section 144 and holding of judicial enquiry into the cases where people had been killed indiscriminately. He said Government should pay adequate compensation to all families of the persons killed in these firings.
RELIEF COMMITTEE
Sheikh Mujib said he would convene the formation of a relief committee for reaching succour to the people affected by the firings. “We have also our own responsibility to see that the people who laid down their lives in the mass movement were given proper help.”
Sheikh Mujib condoled the death of Sgt. Zahurul Huq, Dr. Shamsuzzoha and all other persons who had been killed in the present movement. He said it was unknown in the history of any civilised country that a professor was killed in broad daylight.
Shekh Mujib said people knew what he stood for. “I have never betrayed you, nor shall I ever betray you,” he told them announcing his decision to join the talks in Pindi.
He said people should not forget that he had placed his six- point to the national conference of the opposition leaders in Lahore and when it was not accepted he had come back, He said “why should not I go to Pindi, after all Pakistan is not anybody’s personal property.” If he goes there he would place the demands of the people of the entire country, he said.
While recounting the repressive measures taken by the present Government, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman referred to the closure of Ittefaq, promulgation of the Press Ordinance, creation of the Press Trust and the arrests of journalists for their devotion to truth, Sheikh Mujib demanded the repeal of the Press Ordinance, release of journalists and withdrawal of “hulias” against all political workers.
Sheikh Mujib explained how and under what circumstances he was released and removed from the Central Jail at dead of night to be subsequently charged with conspiracy.
The Awami League chief declared he did not believe in any conspiracy. He said I fear only Allah and none else. What I realise what I understand for the interest of my country I speak out without any fear,” he added.
সুত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু: পঞ্চম খণ্ড ॥ ষাটের দশক ॥ চতুর্থ পর্ব ॥ ১৯৬৯