Dawn
24th February 1969
Mujib demands directly elected Sovereign Parliament :
Representation on basis of population sought :
Referendum in West Wing on One Unit urged
DACCA, Feb 23: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League Chief, today discarded parity and demanded representation in all spheres on the basis of population under a new constitutional arrangement.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was speaking at a reception attended by over half a million people, given by the All-Parties Central Students Action Committee for him and other released accused of the Agartala Conspiracy Case at the Ramna Race Course.
The Awami League Chief demanded election of a sovereign Parliament on the basis of direct adult franchise which would either amend the present Constitution or frame a new one.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said that he would join the proposed Rawalpindi talks where he would place his demands on behalf of the people of the two Wings. He said he wanted full regional autonomy on the basis of his Six-point Programme and for West Pakistan a sub-federation with autonomy for its provinces.
He asked the Government to leave the issue of One Unit to the people of West Wing to be decided by vote. He said that the people there did not want it (One Unit).
The Awami League Chief said that he had first in early 1966 placed his demand for a Constitution on the basis of his Six-point programme at a conference in Lahore.
He added that when the present regime had refused to pay any heed to it, he placed it before the people, He said that the regime had accused him of trying to bring about secession of East Pakistan
But he asked why the Eastern Wing with 56 per cent of the population of the country…. The … that only solution to the problem was regional autonomy in all spheres and self-sufficiency for East Pakistan in all matters.
CHEATED ON PARITY
Sheikh Mujib said that the people of East Pakistan has accepted parity in representation in the parliament only on the condition that parity would be observed in all other spheres including the Central Services.
But he said, that they had been deceived in this regard and said they were no more prepared to accept parity. “However in East Pakistan would talk of parity he has no place here,” he said.
The Awami League Chief spoke of gross disparity in the Central Services. Particularly the Defence Services. He said 80 per cent of the defence expenditure were made in West Pakistan. He said the central capital was in West Pakistan and the capital formation had taken place more in West Pakistan. He said East Pakistan had some powers in the Parliament. Which had also been taken away by the present regime.
Sheikh Mujib said: “My struggle is directed against all sorts of repression and exploitation and not against any region. He said all oppressed Bengalees, Sindhis, Punjabees, Baluchis, Pakhtoons and Pathans are equal before me.
He said as the Central Capital, Central establishments capital formation, and head quarters of the three armed services were located in West Pakistan. Economic disparity between the two wings continued to widen unabated. It was in this context of things, he said that he wanted autonomy for the people of East Pakistan as well as for those of different regions in West Pakistan who would remain in a sub-federation.
FIGHT AGAINST EXPLOITERS
Sheikh Mujib said that people had struggled to achieve Pakistan for the 12 crore Pakistanis and not for a handful of industrialists, traders and businessmen.
He said that his fight was against some exploiters who had their headquarters in West Pakistan and not against the West Pakistan people.
He said he loved mankind irrespective of their nationality or religion. He also advocated communal harmony in East Pakistan and said “Bengalees, Biharis, Hindus or Muslims, all who live in East Pakistan are our brothers.”
Sheikh Mujib demanded that Radio Pakistan must adequately broadeast songs of Rabidra Nath Tagore. The Awami League chief said that Rabindra Nath was not only the poet of Bengalees but was a world poet.
He said that people read Shakespeare, Marx, Hafiz, Mao Tse Tung and Aristotle to learn something from them, Similarly people wanted to learn from Rabindra Nath.
‘ISLAMABAD CONSPIRACY CASE’
The public meeting began amidst thunderous cheers, and slogans, clapping and showering of flower petals. Sheikh Mujib took the mike to congratulate the people on their victory in securing the release of political detenus and those who were being tried for so- called conspiracy. He expressed his gratitude to the struggling students and masses.
Sheikh Mujib suggested that the people should henceforth described the so-called Agartala Conspiracy Case as the Islamabad Conspiracy Case and explained how and under what cirmumstances he was released and removed from the Central Jail at dead of night to be subsequently charged with conspiracy.
He said he could realise at the time of being removed from the Central Jail to military custody that something serious was going to happen. In a choked voice, the Sheikh said: “I took a handful of dust at the gate of the Central Jail and prayed to Almighty Allah so that I could be buried in the soil of my motherland if I died”.
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.
He narrated his experience in solitary confinement during which, he said, he was not allowed to communicate with his family. He said he was prepared for the worst but even then he believed that the people would be able to realise their rights.
He said with the withdrawal of the case, he had come out with 33 others who were accused but could not bring back one of them Sgt. Zahurul Huq. He condemned the Government action in “killing” Zahurul Huq, Dr. Shamsuzzoha, Asaduzzaman and others.
INDUSTRIALISTS WARNED
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman censured the Government for using the police against the workers for the interest of a few industrialists. He said the workers were put into jail when they placed their legitimate demands and they were deprived of their rights.
He warned the industrialists that if they did not share a portion of their profit with the workers, they may have to incur a greater loss in the long run.
Sheikh Mujib criticised the Press and Publications Ordinance and regimentation of the Press and arrest of Journalists. He also criticised the University Ordinance.
The Awami League Chief, said that he had been actively associated with all the movements in the country but none was like their present one. He was particularly critical of Governor Abdul Monem Khan and said that if the latter remained here, it would not be possible to maintain peace, He said: “The President should keep his patwari (Governor Monem Khan) in West Pakistan”. “When I imagine his (Monem Khan’s) face, I see as if Namrud and Pharaoh are before me”, he said amidst laughter.
Sheikh Mujib said the proctor of Rajshahi University was killed in broad daylight. Besides, so many students, peasants and workers.
He said he never heard of any oppressor like the present government after Hitler. He wanted the Government to explain under what rule they had imposed curfew and killed innumberable people. Why this oppression?, he asked.
The Awami League chief called for maintenance of peace and said that “through peaceful mass movement we can achieve our goals”. He asked the Government not to do anything which might cause provocation to the people. He demanded the withdrawal of the army and curfew from all over the province.
TRIBUTE TO STUDENTS
Sheikh Mujib paid tribute to the correct leadership given by the students and said they were really capable leaders to guide the
mass movement.
He announced his support to the students’ 11-point demand, which, he said, included his Six-point demands almost in toto and pledged to fight for the realisation of the 11-point demands.
He pointed out that the daily Ittefaq had to cease publication. He regretted that journalists were detained for writing the truth and the workers for demanding increased salary. Sheikh Saheb demanded the repeal of the Safety Act, the Press and Publications Ordinance and all anti-workers labour laws. -APP/PPI
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