After the partition of British-India in 1947, East Bengal became the provincial state of the Republic of Pakistan. Within a vast area of India 1900 miles, two states were just like separated Islands. Including East Pakistanis culture, tradition, social environment, and even their existence wouldn’t have admitted by West Pakistanis. So, from the start, these two states become in versatile conflict.
For their Fundamental rights the leader of East Pakistanis, especially Sheikh Mujibur Rahman demanded a Six Point in 1966. These points were too valuable and much admitted by the East Bengalis. But the West Pakistanis, especially Ayub Khan and his gangs were wanted to do something more nefarious. So that, they planned to foil the six-point movement.
In 1968, they charged Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 34 other civilians and leaders of east Pakistanis in a Sedation Case. This false case was infamously known as Agartala Conspiracy Case. They all were accused of treason and conspiracy against the State of Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stated that “Sheikh Mujib versus the state and others.” With the permission of president Ayub Khan, the west Pakistanis formed a crucial and special tribunal to trying to accuse them.
This case caused great turbulence in East Pakistan. The civil of East Pakistanis were burst into turmoil. The students all came together in the streets to rallied and protest against the Military Junta. The streets were filled with student communities and people from all walks of life.
Without any other alternative, the Military Governer curfewed all over East Pakistan which was known as 144 Section. But they weren’t able to suppress the Bengalis. People of all walks of life were in the main streets with placards, festoons. And they chanting,
“We’ll break the lock of the jail and free Sheikh Mujib.”
The wrath that has been suppressed for a long time takes the form of a mass uprising. The Pakistani Ruler ordered military control to the situation with bullets. Military police shooted different places to keep down the uprising. But that worsened the situation. Law and order situation is far more worsen when the rebellion took control of all important places in Dhaka City.
During this movement, a lot of people were killed by the Pakistani Military. Among them, Asad, a student leader in Dhaka University; Dr. Shamsuzzoha, a teacher of Rajshahi University; Matiur, a school student of Dhaka, and Sergent Johurul Haque, an accused of Agartala Conspiracy Case.
With the out-of-control situation, the Pakistani Government was forced to grant Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s unconditional release. And also were withdraw the Agartala Conspiracy Case. The very next day, On February 23, 1969, in a large rally on then Race Course Maidan of Dhaka (Now Shohrawardi Park), Mujib was accorded a grand reception and get the title Bangabandhu (The Friend of Bengal). In such a situation, President Ayub Khan was forced to step down from power. With this mass uprising, the decade of Ayub Khan’s autocratic rules came to an end.
Feature Image: Bangldesh Shilpakala Academy.
Sources: Academic Books.
