The Awami League was formed on June 23, 1949 in Dhaka by leaders including Moulana Bhashani, Yar Mohammad, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who broke away from the Muslim League due to its growing authoritarianism. The goal was to establish a democratic alternative and assure pluralistic politics. Over time, the Awami League developed as the main political voice for the Bengali people of East Pakistan, campaigning for recognition of Bengali language and autonomy. Major events included leading the language movement, winning the 1954 elections, the Six Point Program outlining autonomy, and ultimately achieving independence for Bangladesh in 1971.

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2. Rise and Development of Awami League
Presented by Group 6:
1. Syed Anagh
2. Tanvir Hasan
3. Tareq Mahmood Khandaker
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3. Rise and Development of Awami League
Introduction:
• History took a decisive new turn for the Bengali nation on 23 June 1949.There
were some courageous men - Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, Yar
Mohammad, Shamsul Haque, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Huseyn Shaheed
Suhrawardy - whose names are today engraved in the Bengali consciousness.
• These men, grown acutely aware of the growing authoritarianism of the ruling
Muslim League in the newly constituted state of Pakistan, thought it was
necessary to break loose of the organization which had spearheaded the
struggle for Pakistan and come forth with the Awami Muslim League.
• The goal was democracy. The objective was to reassure the people of Pakistan,
in both wings of the country, that they had a political alternative to fall back on
in their desire for pluralistic politics.
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4. Rise and Development of Awami League
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5. Rise and Development of Awami League
Sequence of Presentation:
 Formation of Bangladesh Awami League
 Rise of Political Identity
 Forming as Bengali Figure
 Political Objectives
 Leading Roles in Language Movement
 General Elections of 1954 in East Bengal
 Kagmari Conference
 Organizational Crisis
 Six Point Programme
 Conclusion
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6. Rise and Development of Awami League
Formation of Bangladesh Awami League
•Bangladesh Awami League is one of the oldest and
major political parties in Bangladesh that plays vital role
in achieving the independence of Bangladesh in the
year 1971.
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7. Rise and Development of Awami League
Rise of Political Identity
 The Awami League was founded in Rose Garden of KM Das Lane, Dhaka
on 23rd June, 1949 at a convention of the leaders and workers known to
be a faction of the Bengal Provincial Muslim League headed by Huseyn
Shaheed Suhrawardy and Abul Hashim.
 The new party was named Awami Muslim League.
 It was established with Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani as
president, Ataur Rahman Khan, Shakhawat Hossain and Ali Ahmed Khan
as Vice president, Shamsul Haque as General Secretary, Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman (then interned in jail), Khondokar Mostaq Ahmed and A. K.
Rafiqul Hossain as joint secretary and Yar Mohammad Khan as treasurer.
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8. Rise and Development of Awami League
Rose Garden Palaces, birthplace of the Awami League in 1949 8

9. Rise and Development of Awami League
Forming as Bengali Figure
 From the very inception, the Awami League has been a
secular and non communal party.
 As a mark of its secular posture, the term ‘Muslim’ was
deleted from the name of the party at its third council
meeting held on 21 to 23 October in 1955.
 The party believes in welfare economy. Furthermore, it
has front organizations among the students, laborers,
peasants, youth as well as women.
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10. Rise and Development of Awami League
Political Objectives
 The Awami League was the first opposition party in Pakistan.
 As its birth, the party adopted a 42-point programme with a special emphasis on
the demand for provisional autonomy that includes the following issues.
 Recognition of Bangladesh as one of the state languages of Pakistan.
 One man, one vote.
 Democracy
 Framing of a Constitution.
 Parliamentary form of Government.
Regional autonomy as well as removal disparity between the two wings had been
the major demands of Awami League during the initial stage of Pakistan rule.
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12. Rise and Development of Awami League
Leading Roles in Language Movement
 In the 1948-52 language movement , the Awami League and
its student front , Chhatra League(est. 1948), played a
significant role.
 The Awami League a leading role in the formation of the
“Kendrio Rashtrabhasha Kormoporishod” in 1952 preceding
killing.
 Awami League’s co-chairman Ataur Rahman Khan became
the chairman of the “Kendrio Rashtrabhasha Kormoporishod”
to help the movement 12

13. Rise and Development of Awami League
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14. Rise and Development of Awami League
General Elections of 1954 in East Bengal
 In the elections held on 8-12 march, 1954, the United Front
scored a comprehensive victory.
 Out of the 237 Muslims seats the Muslim League was able to
secure only 9 seats as against 223 seats.
 Awami League alone secured 143 bagged by the Front.
 All the remaining 72 general seats were captured by the allies of
the United Front.
 During the 24 years of Pakistan , Awami League was in power in
the province for only about two years (1956-1958). 14

15. Rise and Development of Awami League
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman taking oath after united front election in 1954
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Rise and Development of Awami League
Kagmari Conference
• Kagmari Conference was a historic council meeting of Awami League that called
for autonomy for East Pakistan that created the path for the Independence of
Bangaldesh.
• The Awami League held a cultural conference from 6 to 10 th February in 1957
in Kagmari.
• The rightist group of the party including Sheikh Mujibor Rahman extended
support to the leadership and policy of Suhrawardy while the leftist members
supported the Maulana Bhasani.
• Subsequently, after the conference, the leadership was switched.

17. Rise and Development of Awami League
Organizational Crisis
 In 1957, the Awami League faced serious organizational crisis resulting in a
split in the party regarding the issue of foreign policy
 Suhrawardy and Maulana Bhasani differed fundamentally on the issue of
foreign policy.
 While Suhrawdy favoured strong links with the West particularly with
America, on the other hand Moulana Bhasani was in favour of the non
aligned country.
 The division came to surface at the kagmari conference (Tangail) of the
party (7-8 February 1957).
 On March 18, Maulana Bhasani resigned from the Awami League and its
presidentship.
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18. Rise and Development of Awami League
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman attending the Afro-Asian Cultural Conference in Kagmari, Tangail with
Maulana Bhashani, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah (February 1957).
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20. Rise and Development of Awami League
Six Point Programme
• In 1966, Mujib proclaimed a 6-point plan titled Our Charter of Survival at a
national conference of opposition political parties at Lahore, in which he
demanded self-government and considerable political, economic and defense
autonomy for East Pakistan :
1. The constitution should provide for a Federation of Pakistan in its true sense
on the Lahore Resolution and the parliamentary form of government with
supremacy of a legislature directly elected on the basis of the universal adult
franchise.
2. The federal government should deal with only two subjects: defense and
foreign affairs, and all other residuary subjects shall be vested in the federating
states.
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21. Rise and Development of Awami League
Six Point Programme
3. Two separate, but freely convertible currencies for two wings should be introduced; or if
this is not feasible, there should be one currency for the whole country, but effective
constitutional provisions should be introduced to stop the flight of capital from East to West
Pakistan. Furthermore, a separate banking reserve should be established and separate
fiscal and monetary policy be adopted for East Pakistan.
4. The power of taxation and revenue collection shall be vested in the federating units and
the federal center will have no such power. The Federation will be entitled to a share in the
state taxes to meet its expenditures.
5. There should be two separate accounts for the foreign exchange earnings of the two
wings; the foreign exchange requirements of the federal government should be met by the
two wings equally or in a ratio to be fixed; indigenous products should move free of duty
between the two wings, and the constitution should empower the units to establish trade
links with foreign countries.
6. East Pakistan should have a separate militia or paramilitary forces.
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22. Rise and Development of Awami League
Six Point Programme
 Mujib's points catalysed public support across East Pakistan, launching what
some historians have termed the 6-point movement – recognized as the
definitive gambit for autonomy and rights of Bengalis in Pakistan.
 Mujib obtained the broad support of Bengalis, including the Hindu and other
religious communities in East Pakistan.
 However, his demands were considered radical in West Pakistan and
interpreted as thinly veiled separatism.
 The proposals alienated West Pakistani people and politicians, as well as
non-Bengalis and Muslim fundamentalists in East Pakistan
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23. Rise and Development of Awami League
Six Point Movement Picture 23

24. Rise and Development of Awami League
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25. Rise and Development of Awami League
Conclusion
 Bangladesh Awami League is an inseparable part of the
country’s historical events, both victorious & tragic.
 However, with its deep roots in history & tradition, it has
always proved to be the most forward looking political party
as well.
 Awami League tries to encourage people to be optimistic of
a better future for themselves & the country.
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26. Rise and Development of Awami League
Thanks for your patience hearing
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27. Rise and Development of Awami League
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