1.

Six point-The first phase of ‘Six-Point Formula’ claimed that the constitution was formulated
based on the Lahore resolution to make Pakistan a true federation and there was talk of
universal suffrage through the direct adult vote and the sovereignty of laws. Initially, it was the
first step towards the liberation of Bengal and Bengalis where Sheikh Mujibur Rahman indirectly
raised the issue of democracy and rule of law. In the second phase of ‘Six-Point Formula’
appealed that only the defense of the country and foreign affairs will be under the federation
government and all remaining matters will be under the jurisdiction of the States. Here too,
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman implied at the liberation of the Bengalis from Pakistani exploitation and
oppression. In the third phase of the six-point formula, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proposed the
introduction of a separate but easily exchangeable currency for East and West Pakistan and
proposed to the establishment of two separate regional banks. At the same time, he proposed
also the introduction of a similar currency, where money laundering would be prevented and
there would be two separate Reserve Bank systems for the two regions. Indeed, this was the
third proposal to liberate the Bengalis from economic exploitation. The fourth phase of ‘Six-
Point Formula’, demanded that the power to levy and collect all kinds of taxes and levies will be
in the hands of the regional government. The regional government will arrange for a certain
portion of the collected revenue to be paid to the central government. Here, Sheikh Mujibur
tried protect the agriculture and industry and economy of East Bengal from destruction by West
Pakistan through increased taxes and rents. In the fifth phase of ‘Six-Point Formula’, it was
proposed to keep separate accounts of foreign exchange and income of the two regions where
the states will own their earned foreign currency and fee import and export trade will continue
between the two regions. Also, they shall remit a fixed portion of the income to the Center at a
rate equal to or equal to that prescribed by the Constitution. Essentially, to eliminate the huge
disparity in income and expenditure and to ensure a fair distribution system between the two
regions, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made a fifth point demand. And in the sixth phase, it proposed
to form its own or paramilitary forces or regional armies for the regional security of East
Pakistan. Originally, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman hinted to Pakistan about the military as well as the
organizational strength of the Bengalis to achieve liberation.

2. On 6 January 1968, the Ayub regime threw a political weapon when they issued a statement
that 28 people were arrested including a naval officer, three senior civil servants and a number
of junior military personnel. The statement alleged that the persons engaged in conspiracy with
Mr. P.N Ojha and visited Agartala in India to discuss on their secret plans with two India officers.
During the mid January, the Ayub government initiated the Agartala Conspiracy Case against 35
persons, which included Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for an alleged conspiracy to bring about the
secession of East Pakistan with the help of India. The trial started on 19 June under a Special
Tribunal inside the Dhaka cantonment and kept it open to the press. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
was made the principal accused and the case itself was officially styled, “State versus Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman and Others.”
The tribunal consisted of Justice S.A. Rahman (former Chief Justice of Pakistan), Justice M.R.
Khan and Justice Masumul Hakim. The government engaged former foreign minister and
eminent lawyer Manzur Qadir as the Public Prosecutor to fight for the state cause. On the other
hand the supporters of Awami League hired renowned Queen’s Counsel of the English bar ,
Thomas William to defend Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The case caused a great turbulence in East Pakistan. The student community started a united
movement against the Ayub regime. They defied the section 144 imposed by the police, broke
the barricades put by the East Pakistan Rifles and came out to the streets in thousands. They
chanted the slogans - “We’ll break the locks of the jail and free Sheikh Mujib”, “Your leader, my
leader, Sheikh Mujib, Sheikh Mujib”, etc.

3.