The Six Points Movement of 1966 aimed to end discrimination against East Pakistan.
At a conference on
5-6 February in Lahore, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman presented the Six Points demand, but West Pakistani
leaders rejected it. Mujib walked out, returned to Dhaka, and revealed the demands to the press. On
21st February, a pamphlet titled "Amader Bachar Dabi: Chhoy Dafa Karmashuchi" (Our Demands for
Survival: Six Points Programme) was published.
1. The constitution should provide for a Federation of Pakistan in its true sense on the basis of 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: Defense and Foreign Affairs. All other
residuary subjects shall be vested in the federal states.
3. Two separate, but freely convertible currencies for two wings should be introduced. 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 shall be vested in the federating units. The federation
will be entitled to deposit a certain portion in the federal fund. The federal government shall use this
fund to meet its expenditures.
5. The federal units shall have the full authority to regulate foreign exchange earnings and trade links.
6. To safeguard regional solidarity and national security the provinces should have the authority to form
and control their own militia or paramilitary force.
Six Points gained public support very rapidly, and it was the key factor in Awami League's election
manifesto in 1970. The Awami League sought public mandate in favor of the Six Points program in the
general elections of 1970
In 1963, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited Agartala to seek India's support for an armed movement.
Pakistan’s ISI uncovered the plan, leading to the arrest of 1,500 Bengalis. Mujib was jailed and implicated
as the main accused in the Agartala Conspiracy Case in January 1968, along with 34 others. A special
tribunal began hearings on 19th June 1968 inside Dhaka Cantonment.
Meanwhile, anti-Ayub protests intensified across Pakistan, with growing demands for Mujib’s release. In
February 1969, Sergeant Zahurul Haq, one of the accused, was killed in custody, sparking mass protests
in Dhaka. Amid rising unrest, the Ayub government withdrew the case, and Mujib, along with all
accused, was released on 22nd February 1969.
Between 1968 and 1969, the anti-Ayub movement in East Pakistan peaked. After Awami League leaders
were arrested, students took charge, transforming the protests into a mass upsurge. On 5th January
1969, student leaders, led by Tofael Ahmed, formed the Sarbadaliya Chhatra Sangram Parishad (All
Party Student's Action Committee) at Dhaka University.
The committee launched the movement based on an 11-Point Demand, which included the Six Points
and other key issues like better education, press freedom, workers' rights, flood control, and an unbiased
foreign policy. The demands gained widespread support, further fueling the movement.
The 1969 Mass Upsurge in East Pakistan grew beyond students, uniting workers, peasants, and the
public against Ayub Khan’s rule. The 11-Point Demand, led by Chhatra Sangram Parishad, gained
massive support, and on 8th January, eight political parties formed the Democratic Action Committee
(DAC). Protests escalated after the killings of student leaders Asaduzzaman (20th January) and Matiur
(24th January), followed by Sergeant Zahurul Haque (15th February) and Dr. Shamsuzzoha (18th
February). With rising unrest, Ayub Khan announced on 21st February that he would not seek re-
election. Despite failed talks, protests spread to West Pakistan. On 10th March, Ayub promised reforms,
but unrest continued, forcing him to hand over power to General Yahya Khan on 25th March 1969,
marking the movement’s success and strengthening East Pakistan’s push for sovereignty.
