What happened on Friday, March 12, 1971
The non-cooperation movement announced by Sheikh Mujib continued, with boycotts of the workplaces of government and semi-government employees, shut downs of educational institutions, and putting up black flags on government and private buildings, business establishments and vehicles.
At a press conference in Lahore, Air Marshal (retd) Asghar Khan, head of the People’s Unity Movement (গণঐক্য আন্দোলন), said, “What a cruel irony of fate. The blame was laid in Lahore but the bullets rained down in Dhaka”. He said that, “The people of the East wanted to have equal rights, not to be slaves of the West. There is only one way to save Pakistan. And that is the transfer of power to the hands of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman”.
In Lahore, National Awami Party, NAP Secretary General C R Aslam said in a statement that. “The capitalists and the bureaucrats are responsible for the current crisis in the country. Bhutto also cannot avoid his responsibility in this matter. Bhutto’s threatening attitude and greed for power have exacerbated the political crisis”.
National Assembly member Mohammad Zahiruddin disavowed the official title awarded to him by the Pakistan government.
An official announcement in Rawalpindi canceled the March 23 Pakistan Day parade, distribution of titles and other ceremonies of the Armed Forces.
At a public meeting in Mymensingh, NAP chief Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani reiterated his support for Sheikh Mujib’s leadership in the liberation struggle of 7 crore Bengalis, saying, “I know Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will never betray the people. Have full confidence in Sheikh Mujib.”
The Bengali bureaucrats of the Civil Service Association of East Pakistan expressed solidarity with the independence movement. They announced a one-day salary donation to fund the movement.
Like every day before, Students Union (ছাত্র ইউনিয়ন), Student League (ছাত্রলীগ) and Forward Student Bloc (ফরওয়ার্ড স্টুডেন্ট ব্লক) held processions and rallies in different cities of the country, including Dhaka.
Artist Kamrul Hasan, at a meeting of artists organized at arts faculty building of Dhaka University, called for declaring the ever-known Water Lily of Bengal as the National flower.
Theaters decided to close down indefinitely across the country, including Dhaka, in support of the non-cooperation movement.
The ‘Artists Action Committee’ (চারুশিল্প সংগ্রাম পরিষদ) was formed on this day under the leadership of artists Murtaza Bashir and Qayyum Chowdhury.
In a statement, Awami League leader in the provincial council, Capt. Mansur Ali, expressed concern and condemnation over the diversion of a US ship loaded with food to Karachi, when it had initially set out for Bangladesh.
26 prisoners escaped Bogra jail. One prisoner was killed and 15 others were injured in the attempt.
Protests broke out all over the city of Chittagong in response to the Biharis’ attack on the Bengalis and the unilateral support of the Biharis by the army. Chittagong Action Committee called for an emergency meeting. At the meeting, everyone was urged to exercise restraint.
That afternoon in Chittagong, educationist Abul Fazal led a peace procession in the city.
Translated by Masuma Begum
Editorial contribution by Arghya Raihan
Researched, compiled & Edited by Sagar Lohani
Gratitude to Christina Rozario
Bangalianaa/SL
