DHAKA, June 7, 2024 (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 Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the Six-Point Day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 here on the occasion of the historic Six-Point Day.

After laying the wreath at 7 in the morning, the Prime Minister 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, Sheikh Hasina placed another wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait as the party chief.

AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Presidium Members Dr Md Abdur Razzaque, Qamrul Islam and Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain, BM Mozammel Haque, Mirza Azam and SM Kamal Hossain, Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, Information and Research Secretary Salim Mahmud, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Abdus Sabur, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and Deputy Publicity And Publication Secretary Syed Abdul Awal Shameem were present, among others, on the occasion.

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

The AL's programmes included hoisting of the national flag and the party flag atop Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi and central office in the capital and all unit offices across the country in the early morning.

Besides, a discussion was held at Dhaka District AL Office at Tejgaon area in the capital under the initiative of the party at 3:30 pm.

AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the discussion.

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 at 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 at Bangabandhu's portrait.