PAKISTAN STUDIES NOTES-GRADE 10TH

Chapter # 8 – Political Development in Pakistan 1947-2002

8.3.3 Evaluate the Major Events that Led to the Separation of East Pakistan.

• Elections of 1970
• Rejection of six points
• War with India in 1971

The separation of East Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh, was influenced by several major events:

1. 1970 Elections: The 1970 general election in Pakistan was significant as it was the first direct election since independence and the only one held before the birth of Bangladesh. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won an overwhelming majority of seats in East Pakistan, advocating for greater autonomy for the region. This election underscored the stark regional disparities between East and West Pakistan and fueled demands for autonomy in the eastern wing.
2. Rejection of Six Points: In 1966, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proposed the Six Point Movement, which aimed to address the perceived exploitation of East Pakistan by the ruling elite in West Pakistan. The movement demanded greater autonomy for East Pakistan, a federal parliamentary system, and proportional representation based on population. However, West Pakistani leaders rejected the Six Points, fearing it would weaken their control over East Pakistan and potentially lead to a confederation.
3. War with India in 1971: The Indo-Pakistani war of 1971 played a decisive role in the separation of East Pakistan. The conflict escalated after Pakistan launched preemptive air strikes on India on December 3, 1971. India joined the war, supporting the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi freedom fighters) in East Pakistan. The Pakistani military crackdown, known as Operation Searchlight, resulted in widespread atrocities and intensified the demand for independence in East Pakistan. Eventually, on December 16, 1971, Pakistani forces in Dhaka surrendered to the joint Indian and Mukti Bahini forces, leading to the creation of the independent state of Bangladesh.

These major events, including the 1970 elections, the rejection of the Six Points, and the war with India, highlighted the deep-rooted grievances and aspirations of the Bengali population in East Pakistan. The failure of the central government to address these issues and the brutal crackdown during the war ultimately culminated in the separation of East Pakistan and the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation.