East Pakistan's Demand of Provincial Autonomy and the Six-PointProgram, 1949-1966

Abstract

This study is an attempt to explore the historical background of East Bengal’s (later called East Pakistan) demand for provincial autonomy. It looks into the origin and evolution of the demand for provincial autonomy, which at the final stage, was presented in the form of the Six Points of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It investigates that the said demand was presented for the first time by the leadership of Bengal’s Muslim League branch in 1949. Its evolution had observed that during the efforts of constitution-making while debating on the report of the Basic Principles Committee or on the One-Unit Scheme in 1955, East Bengali’s political leadership continuously emphasized on maximum provincial autonomy. It was when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s voice was one of the strongest voices for the demand in the House and out of the House even. Further, the provincial election campaign of 1954 also observed the raising of the same demand, which brought success for East Bengal’s United Front. The second part of this research paper evaluates Six-Point Formula and also highlights the impact and outcomes of the Six-Point Program, which sought to address provincial autonomy for East Pakistan but was viewed as a threat to the unity and integrity of Pakistan. The study employs an analytical and comparative approach, relying on qualitative research techniques.