DHAKA, June 7, 2022 (BSS) - The historic Six-Point Day, marking the demand for autonomy for the then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, was observed today across the country in a befitting manner.
 
On June 7 in 1966, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman launched a massive movement against the misrule of the Pakistanis on the basis of the Six-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.
 
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 provision in the constitution for a Federation of Pakistan in its true sense based on the Lahore Resolution, 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 on the federating units, maintaining two separate accounts for the foreign exchange earnings of the two wings and creation of a separate militia or paramilitary force for East Pakistan.
 
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the Six-Point Day.

Awami League, its associate bodies and like-minded socio-cultural organisations drew up elaborate programmes to mark the historic Six-Point Day.

A discussion was held at AL central office in the city's Bangabandhu Avenue at 11pm where AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed it from Ganabhaban through videoconferencing.

AL general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader gave the welcome speech there while Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap conducted it.

The Awami League's programmes included 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 in the early morning.

Awami League (AL) placed wreath at the portrait of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi Road No 32 here on the historic Six-Point Day.

On the occasion of Six-Point Day, on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today paid homage to the portrait of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Later, he along with senior party leaders on behalf of AL paid tributes to Bangabandhu by laying a wreath at his portrait.

AL Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Dr Abdur Razzaque, Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman and Shahjahan Khan, AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain, Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan, Mirza Azam and Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel, Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, Secretary of Labor and Manpower Habibur Rahman Siraj, Secretary of Agriculture and Co-operative Affairs Faridunnahar Laily, Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua, Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan and Central Committee Member Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, among others, were present at that time.

The leaders and activists of AL, associate bodies and affiliated organizations including Dhaka North and South City units of AL, Awami Jubo League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Krishak League, Mohila Awami League, Jubo Mohila League, Awami Matshyajibi League paid homage to the portrait of Father of Nation.

Besides, various organizations including Bangladesh Chhatra League, Dhaka North and South City units of Awami Swechchhasebak League, Dhaka University Chhatra League, Dhaka College Chhatra League, Bangabandhu Parishad and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote also paid tribute to Bangabandhu's portrait.