The Awami Muslim League Party, headed by Sheikh Mujibur (Mujib) Rahman, won 167 out of 313 national assembly seats on a platform of greater autonomy for the eastern province. He called for a nonviolent, noncooperation movement. The regional government, led by Yahya Khan, was not able to maintain a strong political base after succeeding the exceptionally brutal dictatorial rule of Ayub Khan.
On March 4,1971, Lieutenant General Tikka Khan ordered the shelling of Dhaka University, resulting in the rape and killing of numerous teachers and students. Yahya Khan then announced that a national assembly would meet on March 25,1971, but the tone of his voice did not persuade the populace that he desired
Reconciliation. Many believed he was simply buying time in preparation for further brutality. Student groups and street crowds clamored for a break with West Pakistan, while a declaration of independence was considered during an emergency meeting of Mujib and his cabinet.
On March 7, 1971, Mujib exhorted the people to turn every house in East Pakistan into a fortress, not to pay taxes, and to ask government officials to obey orders only from him during a monumental speech on the grounds of a racecourse. Mujib put forward four main conditions for attending the proposed assembly session on March 25.
World History
