পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (চতুর্থ খণ্ড).pdf/৬০০

570 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিল : চতুর্থ খন্ড But these oppressions could not stop the popular struggle in East Pakistan for autonomy. It is also noteworthy that other nations of Pakistan, namely, the Beluchis. Sindhis and Pathans were also fighting for national rights. During this time, the Central government converted the four provinces of West Pakistan into 'One Unit' and introduced 'parity' between the two wings of Pakistan, inspite of the fact that East Pakistan had a majority of population (56%) and therefore could claim greater share in all matters. This was of course done with a view to suppressing the growing movements for national rights of the various nations of Pakistan. But the imposition of one Unit on West Pakistan only served to intensify the struggle of the smaller nations of West Pakistan mentioned above for achieving national rights. The Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, which was elected by indirect voting in 1955, framed a Constitution in 1956. Three years after that, under great popular pressure, the Central Government, after much dillydallying, announced a date for the first general election of Pakistan (fixed for February–March, 1959). But again the reactionary ruling clique began to conspire against the introduction of democracy and, in order to prevent the holding of election, which would open up the path of democracy, imposed martial law on the whole country, again with the connivance of imperialism. After this began the black decade of Ayub Khan's military dictatorial regime. Ayub Khan tried his utmost to suppress nationalist and democratic movements of the various nations. But ever since 1961, the Bengalis, Pathans and Beluchis were carrying on heroic struggles for their just rights. Even the Indo-Pak war of September 1965 could not confuse the people for any length-of time. In June 1966 Awami League launched its famous 6-point movement. The 6-point programme basically demanded parliamentary democracy based on adult franchise and full autonomy. This programme was Supported by the leftists and communists and the people whole heartedly participated in the movement started on the basis of this programme. This movement was also suppressed temporarily. But, towards the end of 1968 and beginning of 1969 a popular upsurge raged across the length and breadth of Pakistan which finally swept away the hated Ayub regime. In East Pakistan the movement was the centered upon the 11-point programme formulated by the Students' Action Committee and backed by the political parties opposing the regime. In addition to the demands contained in the 6-point programme, the 11-point programme included demands for fun civil liberties, educational reforms, students' and workers' demands, neutral and independent foreign policy, nationalization of big industries, banks and insurance, etc. In West Pakistan, the opposition parties, forces and the people were united on the basis of demand for direct election and parliamentary democracy. The dictatorial Ayub regime could not withstand the pressure of united mass movement of whole Pakistan and toppled over.