We said, “Fine, we will be taking our seats in the Assembly then.” I said we would carry out our discussions in the Assembly. I went so far as to say that if anyone came up with an offer that was just, even though we were in the majority, we would agree to that offer.

• How does Bangabandhu describe his commitment to parliamentary democracy and respect towards minority opposition in politics?
  • Bangabandhu describes his commitment to parliamentary democracy by expressing his willingness to discuss and accept just offers, even from the minority opposition, despite having the majority.

Mr. Bhutto came here; he carried out discussions with us; he had said that the doors of negotiations had not been shut and that there would be further negotiations. I then had talks with other leaders;

I said to them, “Come and sit down with us; let’s create a constitution for ourselves through discussions.” But Mr. Bhutto declared that if West Pakistani members came here, the Assembly would end up as a slaughterhouse. He claimed that whoever came here would be slaughtered. He said that if anyone showed up here, all shops from Peshawar to Karachi would be shut down.

• What negative aspects of Mr. Bhutto do you notice here?
  • Mr. Bhutto’s negative aspects include his threat of violence against Assembly members and his declaration that the Assembly would be a slaughterhouse, creating fear and division.

I declared that the Assembly would continue to meet. But suddenly on the 1st of March, the Assembly was postponed. Mr. Yahya Khan had called the session of the Assembly in his capacity as the President, and I declared I would be attending it.

Mr. Bhutto said he wouldn’t be part of it. Thirty-five members of the Assembly came from West Pakistan to take part in its proceedings. But it was dissolved all of a sudden. The blame was put on the people of Bengal, and the finger was pointed at me!

After the Assembly’s session was prorogued, the people of this country protested. I told them, “Observe the General Strike we have called peacefully.” I told them, “Shut down all mills and factories.” Our people responded to my call. They came to the streets spontaneously. They expressed their firm determination to carry out the struggle peacefully.

• At this point of his speech, Bangabandhu becomes one with the people. How did it happen?
  • Bangabandhu becomes one with the people by leading the peaceful protest, showing solidarity with their suffering, and sharing their determination for a peaceful struggle.

What have we got in return? Those who brought arms with our money to defend us from external enemies are now using those arms on the poor—the wretched—the downtrodden people of the land. Bullets are being aimed at their hearts. We constitute the majority in Pakistan; but whenever we Bengalis have tried to assume power, they have used force on us.

I have had a talk with Mr. Yahya Khan. I told him, “Mr. Yahya, you are the President of Pakistan; come and observe how the poor people of my country are being mowed down with bullets; come and see how our mothers are being deprived of their children; how my people are being massacred. Come, observe, and only then pass a judgment on what is going on.”

He has apparently said that I had agreed to attend a Round Table Conference on the 10th of March. Didn’t I say a long time back: what is the point of another Round Table conference? Who will I sit with? Should I sit with those who have shed the blood of my people? He has suddenly dissolved the Assembly without carrying out any discussions with me; after sitting in a secret meeting for five hours, he gave a speech where he has put all the blame on me. He has even blamed the Bengali people!

• At this point of his speech, Bangabandhu accuses the Pakistanis of buying arms with our money and using them on us. What other accusations does Bangabandhu make here?
  • Bangabandhu accuses the Pakistani leaders of massacring innocent people, depriving mothers of their children, and dissolving the Assembly without discussions, while unjustly blaming the Bengalis.

My brothers,

The Assembly has been called into session on the 25th of March. But the blood spilled on our streets has not yet dried. About the 10th of this month, I have told them: Mujibur Rahman won’t join the Round Table Conference because that would mean wading over the blood that has been shed. Although you have called the Assembly into session, you’ll have to listen to my demands first. You’ll have to withdraw Martial Law. You’ll have to return all army personnel to their barracks.

You’ll have to investigate the way our people have been murdered. And you’ll have to transfer power to the representatives of the people. It is only then that I’ll decide whether we will take our seats in the Assembly or not. I don’t want the Prime Minister’s office. We want the people of this country to have their rights. I want to state clearly that from this day, Bangladesh’s courts, magistracies, government offices, and educational institutions will be shut down indefinitely.

So that the poor don’t have to suffer, so that my people don’t have to go through hardships, all other things will be exempted from the General Strike from tomorrow. Rickshaws, horse carriages, trains, and launches will be allowed to move. Only the Secretariat, the Supreme Court, the High Court, Judges’ Court, and semi-government organizations such as WAPDA will not be allowed to work. On the 28th employees will go and collect their salaries.

If their salaries are not paid, if another bullet is fired, if my people are shot dead again, I request all of you: convert every house into a fort; confront the enemy with whatever you have. And even at the risk of your life, and even if I am not around to direct you, shut down all shops and make sure that traffic on all roads and ports are brought to a standstill. If need be, we will starve to death, but we’ll go down striving for our rights.

• Here Bangabandhu says that his fight was for people’s rights and not for the Prime Minister’s office. What directives does he give for his countrymen?
  • Bangabandhu directs his countrymen to shut down all courts, government offices, and educational institutions indefinitely, while exempting essential services from the General Strike. He emphasizes non-payment of taxes and custom duties until liberation and urges people to prepare for a determined struggle for their rights.

To those in the armed forces I have this to say: you are our brothers; stay in your barracks and no one will bother you. But don’t try again to aim your bullets at our chests. You can’t suppress seventy million people forever. Since we have learned to sacrifice ourselves, no one can suppress us anymore.

• Bangabandhu says, ‘We have learned to die’. What does he mean here?
  • By saying “We have learned to die,” Bangabandhu means that the people of Bengal are ready to sacrifice their lives for their rights and freedom, indicating their resolve and courage.

And as for our martyrs and those who have been wounded, we in the Awami League will do everything we can to assist them and their loved ones. If you have the means, please give what little you can to our Relief Committee. To owners of factories whose workers had participated in the General Strike the last seven days I have this to say: make sure that they are paid wages for those days. To government employees I have this to tell: you’ll have to listen to my directives. Till our country is liberated, taxes and custom duties won’t be collected. No one will pay them either.

• What directives does he give to Awami League leaders and workers?
  • Bangabandhu instructs Awami League leaders and workers to assist martyrs and the wounded, ensure factory workers are paid for the strike days, and listen to his directives, especially regarding the non-payment of taxes and duties until liberation.

Remember: the enemy is amidst us to create chaos and confusion, to create anarchy and to loot. In our Bengal, Hindus and Muslims, Bengalis and non-Bengalis are all brothers. We are responsible for their safety; let us not taint ourselves in any way.

• The paragraph tells us about Bangabandhu’s greatness as a human being. ‘We all are brothers,’ he says. What message is he sending to the Pakistanis?
  • Bangabandhu is sending a message of unity and brotherhood, emphasizing that all people in Bengal, regardless of religion or ethnicity, are responsible for each other’s safety and should not engage in violence or anarchy.

Remember those of you who work for radio and television: if the people running the radio station aren’t ready to listen to us, no Bengali will report for work there. Banks will be open for two hours every day so that people can collect their salaries. But we won’t allow even a single poisha to be transferred from East Bengal to West Pakistan. Telephones and telegram services will continue as before in our East Bengal; if we have to transmit news abroad, you will see to that. But if any attempt is made to exterminate our people, all Bengalis must take appropriate action.

• At this part of his speech, Bangabandhu gives some more directives to his countrymen. What are those?
  • Bangabandhu directs radio and television workers to stop working if their demands are not met, ensures banks are open for salary collection, restricts money transfers to West Pakistan, and keeps communication services running. He also urges immediate action if there is an attempt to exterminate Bengalis.

Form Revolutionary Committees under the leadership of the Awami League in every village, every community. Be prepared to act with whatever you have in your possession.

• Bangabandhu told his countrymen to get ready. What did he instruct them to do?
  • He instructed them to form Revolutionary Committees under the Awami League’s leadership in every village and community and be prepared to act with whatever means they have.

Remember: since we have already had to shed blood, we’ll have to shed a lot more of it; by the Grace of God, however, we’ll be able to liberate the people of this land. The struggle this time is a struggle for our emancipation—the struggle this time is a struggle for freedom. Joi Bangla!

• What historic declaration does Bangabandhu make here?
  • Bangabandhu declares that the ongoing struggle is a fight for emancipation and freedom, signaling a historic call for the liberation of the people of Bengal.