0. 4S Keck fRP ds 103, / History of Bangladesh, 1905-2005 @) ‘The Formation of Awami Muslim League ‘Awami League is one of the oldest and major political parties in Bangladesh. It was founded in Dhaka on 23 June 1949 at a convention of the leaders and workers known to have been a faction of the Bengal Provincial Muslim League and headed by Huseyn Shaheed Subrawardy and ‘Abul Hashim. Formation of Awami League is one of the most significant and important events in the political history of Bangladesh. The East Pakistan Awami Muslim League emerged as the foremost opposition political party in Pakistan. Within a very short time the party justified its name truly after being the party of the common people as the meaning the word ‘Awami’ denotes the people of all classes. nd ind energetic young people voiced their voice agi the oppress corruption, disparity and the use of the religion in politics by the Muslim League government. Common people also lost their faith and confidence from the Muslim league as well as the government, It was the first organization to voice against the authoritarian attitude of the central government to repress the legitimate interests of the people of East Bengal. Background of the Formation of Awami Muslim League From the very inception of the establishment of Muslim Jeague it had been considered as a party of pocket and coterie. The leaders who led Pakistan to be partitioned from India and had been most devoted for the party (Mustim League) were not given any reasonable position neither in the ministry, nor in the party. In a much planed manner the Pakistani Constituent Assembly excluded some of the most charismatic leaders of Bengal (ic. Huseyn ‘Shaheed Suhrawardy. Abul Hashim, AK Fazlol Hug) from the cabinet. Of the seven ministers, only two were Bengalis who did not represent the Bengalis in the true sense. In the formation of various coramittees from | provincial level to the union level, democracy was not followed. Moderate i Eha non-communal leaders were not welcomed. After the independence of Pakistan Khwaja Nazimuddin became the prime minister of Eastern Bengal during the independence movement and who kept himself out of the politics ‘even had been in London, Akram Khan was also not active in the politics. They got the blessings of Jinnah and Liaquat Ali which made them the top leaders. Ironically these people became the key figures after the independence and those very dedicated leaders got room neither in the mainstream politics nor in the government machine. Even some of them were arrested (Suhrawardy was arrested because of his non-communal characteristics in 1948) and lost membership from the Constituent ‘Assembly). Liaquat Ali khan marked Suhrawardy as an agent of India to spifflicate Pakistan, The leaders of East Bengal gradually became more frustrated. 205Pi ag First Phase of Intemal-Colonial Experience, 1948 to 1956 ‘Soon after the of East Bs At that time the Muslim League was in control of the Se peltd Provincial governments, towards looking after the intercats of ag _Benzilis which ‘had never ‘been perfor praeenietee, Maulana Aizam Khan, te chet orgeizer of th East Bengal Te or Re nEtE adopted a conservative attitude and took the view that ie ‘le of the Muslim League adopted a over s formed Fast Pakistan Mujibur Ramona, League (later known as the Students’ League) and Shay uibar Rahman, at that time a student of the Dhaka Ura Re Cay: The formation of East Pakistan Muslim Stadene ‘way of « single platform forall the Bengalis of East Ben mle igh in a fragile con ition; ae 205, Pa History of Bangladesh, 1905-2005 1e creation of Pakistan, Congress was the only opposition pary in the Pakistan Puament In the ery fir cesion of te Pakistan Legilauve ‘Assembly held on February 23, 1948 Dhivendranath Duta, the representative from East Pakistan raised demand for recognizing Bangla as fons of the languages besides Urdu and English used at tho Legislative ‘Assembly. Dhirendranath’s proposal came under severe criticism. Liaquat ‘Ali Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan said that it was a mistake on the par of Dhirendranath Duta to raise the issue of language at the Assembly. It was question of life and death; he said and strongly opposed the proposal. tod declared that the Assembly should disregard such an amendment bill. He said that the proposal had been raised to create dissension among the ‘People of Pakistan and to prevent the people from using a single language. Khwaja Nazimuddin, the Chief Minister of East Pakistan opposed the ~ ‘proposal made by Dhirendranath Dutta. Tamizuddin Khan, the vice- Bicsident of the Legislative Assembly and a representative from East Pakistan also spoke against the proposal. As a result the language made the | ‘Easter par more proactive for the formation of a new political party here | ‘in Bengal to protect their culture as well as their rights. ‘The economic depression of East Bengal created a strong apathy among the people ofthe Eastern wing, Food situation in East Bengal worsened frome ‘August 1947. Inefficient management by the administration and communication problem were the main reasons for the problem, Fraudulent Practices by government officials, black marketeering by’ traders and hoarding of food grain were other reasons for causing food shonage in Sota, 49. The people of the countryside particularly of Khulna, Faridpur, Sylet and North Bengal fell victims to the famine. The situation also Tolerant ole distiets. The condition of the poor in the cities also ated. tn some areas the peasants made organized attempts to resist arpa tempts to collect grain. But it was not possible for anyone & Te eco celles prin. But it was not possible for anyoue to " of the main reasons for Like the peasants, the workers less movements from 1947 against - Nonetheless, dissatisfaction of te was miserably failed to Shameul ‘of Bengal. The comerstone ofthe Miuslny Pane Hug, @ young politician 207 was really shuttered afterrae Firkt Phase of Inernal-Colonial Experience, 1948 0 1956 their failure im the election. The Dally Azad marked that defeat a5 a red= signal forthe league, Submawardy termed the victor 2 weloome Kickof? {o; thei Joursey against the undermoeraic gesture of Muslim League. The Dally Mirror, published from London reported that it was not only & victory of Mr. Sharsul Hug but it was tweatening tote reason goverament Sebo et Ft nwo we nino pif singe emi tna tas nga fo ie ouse!wrd oa Muslim League had been transformed into a conservative organization blocking all political prog jin the country. With a view to Seay Ray donde Ratna Maa paelne Mine es een caer een eet Sones deme eset ete oppression towards the progressives was incepted by the central ema. Toe sical eae ne femme Aut tee apy Seamer t,o soap lad eae hee See a aie aes Top neo Eames Dp ia eae Sten, ut Regt rece Pe Sey Se im ye. Cling oon ees NBN SRS hates eh cece tem ea fat a Pal aga Ped ts de Kae St dec Ste oe es hee dpe nga’ G ta peti Gos ee hae low ‘ioe of i Stee mae in ban capes, May te roms ee ae et a With the political crisis, the economic condition in East Pakistan also Aeterorted. People of East Pakigan stared losing faith in Musi League ‘and a new political party was to be formed. Finally the frustrated Bengalis formed the "East Pakistan Awami Muslim League" (popularly shortened to “Awenni Muslim League’, People's Muslim League) 00,23 June 1949 atthe East Pakistan Muslim League Workers Convention held at the Rose Garden (fesidence of Kazi Mohammad Bashir Humaiyun), Dhaka. The party was fated as the first ever provincial opposition party ht opposed the Urdu policy. It was founded by Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Maulana Hamid Khan Bhaseni and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. They were all former members of the Muslim League. 300 representatives Were there in the convention. Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasari, the former President of the Assam Provincial Muslim League, was elected as the President of the 208 P. 44 History of Bangladesh, 1905-2005 pany, whilst Ataur Rahman Khan, All Ahmed Khan, Ali Amzad Khan, Sakhawat Hossain and Abdus Salam Khan were appointed View President. Shamsul Hug as General Secretary, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (oho was 29- years at that time and interned in jail) as Joint Secretary, and Khandakar Moshag Ahmad and AKM Rafigul Islam as Assistant Secretary. There ‘were some forty members in the frst committee of the East Palasiah ‘Rear Moslem League ‘The key figures in the committee of the East Pakistan Awami Muslim League (1949) were as follows. Tables ast Pakistan Avram Muslim League Commie Name Post [Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhawani | President [Ata Rahman Khan Vice President ‘Al Ahmed Khan (MEAD Viee-Prendeot [Ai Amead Khan Vice-President Sakhawat Horsain Vice Presiden [Abdus Salam Khem [ice President [Yar Mohammad Kha “Treasurer Shams Hog General Seay Sheik Majibor Rahman Toint Seaetry khorskar Morag Ahmad Assistant Seowary [AM Rafigul Islam Assistant Searetary Source: Dr. Abu Ma. Delwar Hossain, Bangladesher Ithash (In Bangle) Programs of the Awami Muslim League at its Birth In the true sense Awami, Muslim League was the Grst opposition party in, ‘the then Pakistan. The organization adopted a draft manifesto In support of a Pakistan. AUC Ginh Ue party adopted a 42-point program with special emphasis on the demand for provineial auionomy- Mam programs of the Avami Muslim League these had been the popular demands of Awam League were as follows, 1, Recognition of Bangla as one ofthe state languages of Pakistan, 2. One-man one vote on the basis ofthe Universal adult franchise 209wo First Phase of Internal-Colonial Experience, 1948 to 1956 Democracy to be ensured in all aspects of the state Framing of a constitution Parliamentary system of government Regional autonomy and framing two wings of Pakistan namely East and West Pakistan 7. Removal of disparity between the two wings 8. Provincial autonomy on the basis ofthe Lahore Resolutions 9. Compulsory education for every citizen ofthe nation 10. Ensuring the accountability of the government officials and employses LL. Equal Fights ofthe people will be confirmed where the countrymen wil enjoy their fcedom of speech, formation of pola! pats and movement. 12. Equal participation in the defense for the people of both the units of Pakistan ouae Significance of the formation of the Awami Mustim League “The foundation of the Awami Muslim League was laid on two conflicting forces. On the one hand, there were the frustrated and dissident Muslim [Leaguers whose political philosophy and ideology were not fundamentally different from those of the Muslim League. On the other hand, however, the ‘Awamni Muslim League had a large number of followers, mostly young who Sere secular in their atitade and anxious to establish tie democracy in the Country, This younger group opposed the commenal nomenclature and Gcmanded removal of the word “Muslim’ from the name of the party. Seeing that the Convention was about to end in confusion over the omenclature of the party, Bhasani gave his ruling against the secular Jroup. He argued that switching over 10 secularism straightway at that time eal make them unpopular as the masses sill were stecped in Communalism. However, his consolidation of the dissident Muslim League forees in the province against the ruling party completed the process o: developing an opposition. Meanwhile, H.S. Suhrawardy, a leader of proved parliamentary experience and ability, came to the forefront to crush the Tuling Muslim League. Suhrawardy soon undertook the task of organizing the small opposition joup imo an AllPokisten party. By bis remarkable ability to misiatai= Zupport and ouimaneuver his opponents, the Awami Muslim Lea; fadvally assumed the character of 2 mass opposition party. Gistinguishing the Awami League from the Muslim League he maintaires 210 ll e.5 \ . : History of Bangladesh, 1905-2005 that the Awami League did not believe in identifying the, state with the ary, the ministry and administration, it believed in democracy as opposed D fascism, While the Awami League considered the existence of an opposition party necessary for the proper functioning of democracy, the Qksiim League iabeled opposition as disruption demanded that thero should be ro parties other than itself and all other parties must be crushed out of existence. Thus the Awami Muslim League was formed out of frustration ‘caused by the closed door policy of the Muslim League in Pakistan. © East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act 1950 ‘The East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act of 1950 also known as the East Pakistan Estate Acquisition Act 1950) was = law relating. to tenancies to be held under the state and other matters connected therewith ‘The law was passed by the newly formed East Bengal government in the Dominion of Pakistan ‘The bill was drafted on 31 March 1948 during the carly years of Pakistan and after a long two years of debate over the Bill it ‘was passed on 16 May 1951-Before passage of the legislature, landed revenue laws of Bengal consisted of the Permanent Seitlement Regulations of 1793, Rent Act 1859 and the Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885. The Bast Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act of 1950 is the most significant land reform actin the history of Bengal. ‘Background Prior to enactment of the East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act of 1950, there were agrarian law of Bengal mainly consisted of the Bengal permanent settlement regulations of 1793 and the Bengal tenancy act 1885. ‘These acts could not meet the demand of any portion of the Bengal part very fairly and as 2 result a never ending prevailed across Bengal in course of time. The East India Company administration as well as the British government took sorne initiatives to solve the problera which were basically ‘erect maximize their own itrest Finally withthe Land Reform Act 3 1950 the probe to the zamindari systema and the land reform ‘The Permanent Settlement, 1793 21