Introduction
Every significant event in history has shake the entire population or the
entire nation. One such event is the mass uprising of 1969.It was a
movement in which People from all backgrounds came together for
democracy. 1968`s student protests against President of Pakistan Ayub
Khan's repressive rule led to the start of the Mass Upsurge in 1969.
Soon, people from all over what was then called East Pakistan joined the
movement. Farmers, artists, and workers joined almost all at once.
Some of the significant factors behind the Mass Upsurge of 1969:
● The military rule declared in October 1958 destroyed Pakistan's
democratic ideals,
aspirations and laws.
● All development operations were centered on West Pakistan under
Ayub Khan's reign,resulting in a mountain of difference between East
and West Pakistan.
● The government of Pakistan did not grant autonomy as per the 6-point
demand of 1966.
● In the Agartala case, the people of East Pakistan organized a
movement to demand the release of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman and 35 other leaders.
Student Struggle Council and 11th point:
On 4th January 1969. East Pakistan Chhatra League and East Pakistan
Students Union (both Matia and Menon groups), government student
organization National Students Federation Dolan Group and Dhaka
University Students' Parliament (DACSU) united to form the All-Party
Student Struggle Parishad.Expressing full support to the 6-point program
of the Awami League, the Chhatra Sangam Parishad announced the 11-
point program on January 4, 1969.
Spread of mass uprisings:
From 17th January, the students started movement for their 11-point
demands. This movement could not be stopped even after issuing section
144. Then massive police torture began. On January 20th, the police
brutality on the student crowd in Dhaka reached its peak. Dhaka
University student Asaduzzaman was martyred in police firing. On
January 21, many people took to the streets with Assad's blood-stained
shirts. As a result, the mass uprising gained a new dimension. January
24th is known as People's Uprising Day. A school student Kishore
Motiur was martyred and many people were injured in police firing in
Dhaka. Sergeant Zahurul Haque was shot dead in Dhaka Cantonment on
February 15. On February 18, the Pakistan Army killed Rajshahi
University professor Dr. Shamsujjoha. As a result, the movement spread
like wildfire. Extreme anarchy and terrible situation was created in the
country.Realizing the overall situation of the country, Ayub Khan called
a round table meeting with the opposition leaders. But when the
opposition leaders including Maulana Bhasani rejected it, Ayub Khan
realized that the movement cannot be stopped unless the Agartala case is
withdrawn. So in a radio address on February 21, Ayub Khan said that
he would no longer be a presidential candidate and would withdraw the
Agartala case and release the Rajbandis.On February 22, Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and others were released Ayub Khan handed
over power to General Yahya Khan on March 25, 1969. This is how the
popular uprising succeeded.
Conclusion :
1969’s mass uprising is a significant chapter in the history of
Bangladesh. After the self-sacrifice of Shahid Asad Kishore Motiur,Dr.
Shamsujjoha,Sergeant Zahurul Haque aims of mass uprising was
fulfilled. This movement of the East pakistan led to the Independence
War and emergence of Bangladesh in 1971.
