Six Point Movement
The charter of freedom to the Bengali Nation
• The six-point demand marks a unique and an
important change in the annals of our history
and thus is a milestone event in Bangladesh.
• The Six-Point Movement of 1966 is often
referred to as the "Charter of Freedom" for the
Introduction Bengali nation because it laid the foundation for
the struggle for autonomy, ultimately leading to
the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.
• The movement's main agenda was to end the
exploitation of East Pakistan by the West
Pakistani rulers. It is considered a turning-point
on the road to Bangladesh's independence.
Background
• The economic and political disparities between East and West Pakistan
had widened significantly after the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
• East Pakistan, despite contributing more to the national economy, was
systematically deprived of its fair share of political power, economic
resources, and infrastructural development.
• The language movement of 1952, economic discrimination, and the
imposition of martial law by Ayub Khan further fueled Bengali
nationalism.
• The 1965 Indo-Pak war exposed East Pakistan’s vulnerability, as it was
left defenseless with all military decisions centralized in West Pakistan.
1. The Constitution should provide for a Federation of
Pakistan in its true sense based on the Lahore
Resolution, and the parliamentary form of government
with supremacy of a Legislature directly elected on the
basis of universal adult franchise.
2. The federal government should deal with only two
subjects: Defence and Foreign Affairs, and all other
residual subjects should be vested in the federating
states.
Six Point 3. Two separate, but freely convertible currencies for
two wings should be introduced; or if this is not feasible,
there should be one currency for the whole country, but
effective constitutional provisions should be introduced
to stop the flight of capital from East Pakistan to West
Pakistan. Furthermore, a separate Banking Reserve
should be established and separate fiscal and
monetary policy be adopted for East Pakistan.
4. The power of taxation and revenue collection
should be vested in the federating units and the federal
centre would have no such power. The federation
would be entitled to a share in the state taxes to
meet its expenditures.
5. There should be two separate accounts for the
foreign exchange earnings of the two wings; the foreign
exchange requirements of the federal government
Six Point should be met by the two wings equally or in a ratio to
be fixed; indigenous products should move free of
duty between the two wings, and the constitution
should empower the units to establish trade links with
foreign countries.
6. East Pakistan should have a separate military or
paramilitary force, and Navy headquarters should be in
East Pakistan.
• The points were clear, easy to understand and most
Why is it importantly were true resemblance of the feelings
Considered of the Bengalis.
• It was for the first time when Bengalis shouted,
the "Charter asking for their economic and political rights and
of national security. But the response from the West
Pakistan was rather painful and humiliating.
Freedom"? • It was an event that confirmed the reality that East
Pakistan was a colony to the West Pakistan.
Symbol of Bengali Nationalism:
• The Six-Point Movement clearly expressed the aspirations of
the Bengali people for self-rule and economic justice.
Why is it • It was the first formal demand that directly challenged West
Pakistani domination.
Considered Rejection of West Pakistani Hegemony:
the "Charter • It marked a shift from the previous demands for mere
economic reforms to a comprehensive call for self-
of governance.
Foundation for the Liberation War (1971):
Freedom"? • The Six-Point Movement laid the ideological and political
groundwork for the struggle for independence.
• The demands made in 1966 were almost identical to the
governance structure of independent Bangladesh in 1971.
Mass Support and Political Mobilization:
• The movement united people across East Pakistan,
cutting across class and profession, including students,
workers, and intellectuals.
Why is it Harsh Repression :
Considered • The Pakistan government saw the Six Points as a
separatist agenda and arrested Sheikh Mujibur
the "Charter Rahman in the Agartala Conspiracy Case in 1968.
• The mass protests following his arrest strengthened the
of movement and increased demands for autonomy.
Freedom"? Decisive Victory in 1970 Elections:
• Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujib, won a landslide
victory in the 1970 general elections on the Six-Point
platform.
• However, the Pakistani military government refused to
transfer power, leading to the Liberation War of 1971.
Any Question
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