Itefaq 68 year Book

1

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(1920- 1975)
(1892- 1963) (1880 - 1976)





‘Our Manik Bhai’
- Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

It was dead at night. I was informed over telephone from Pindi, Manik Bhai
was no more. It seemed, it is horrible gap, hollowness and totally dark. We
were not separated in the past twenty five years, no incident can made a
difference between us.

Ittefaq was closed again and again. Manik Bhai was not leaned. He passed
his days in the dark room of the prison in the state of ailment. But, he did not
compromise with the unjust and persecution.

Manik Bhai led in the struggle of liberation, language movement, in the election
of 1954, mass awakening of 1962, in the struggle of establishing democracy
in 1965, and then in the struggle at the mass coup in making autonomous.
He reached our demands and claims to the doors of the general people by his
writing, prevented the attack of the enemies.

After the death of Mr. Sohrawardi, i myself requested him to become the
chairman of Awami League. Manik Bhai said in smiling, ‘association is for
yours, pen is mine’.

He stood ‘The Ittefaq’ in hard labour. His attitude was public oriented. He took
the liability of writing for speaking of the general prople. Thanks to the Bengal
nation, that hold him in its core of the mind. Thanks to the journalist of Bengal,
who get him in their own realm.

Manik Bhai is still alive among us though he has passed away in prematurely.
Today is a time of very crisis for the people of the country, especially for the
people of East Bengal. The demise of Manik Miah in this time of crisis is
disaster not for me or us. It is a big disaster for the six and a half crore of people
of this country. We lost our guide.

This would be our best respect to the memory of Manik Bhai, laid in eternal
rest.

- After the death of Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah, this writing by
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was published on 9th June, 1969.

Editor
Tasmima Hossain

Publisher
Tareen Hossain
Planning & Compilation
Reead Khandakar
Editing Assistant
Zahid Hasan Dipu

Design
Mostafizur Rahman

Cover Illustration
Sohel Ashraf Khan

Published date
January, 2021

Copyright
Ittefaq Group of Publications Ltd.

40, Kawranbazar, Dhaka-1215
PABX: 8189960

www.ittefaq.com.bd
6

The birth of Bangladesh and the Daily Ittefaq are inextricably linked to the esteemed efforts
of four iconic men: Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani,
Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, and Toffazal Hossain Manik Mia.

Their passion for the unwavering belief in democracy made them institutions in their time. Under
their guidance and leadership, the initial Weekly Ittefaq was first published in 1949, shortly after The
Pakistan Muslim League was voted into power in East Pakistan. As political conflict began to unfold,
there was a dire need for a daily newspaper to serve as the voice of the Awami League. With the 1954
Assembly elections in mind, the Daily Ittefaq was born.

During the nascence of The Daily Ittefaq, the contributions of this illustrious group of founders
undoubtedly shaped its identity. In 1958, under a military government, then East Pakistan felt the
hindrance of their democratic right to freedom of speech. In those dark times, The Daily Ittefaq was
the loudest voice, bringing light to the split nation state.

When Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stepped into politics, The Daily Ittefaq was among the
first supporters of the quest to liberate Bangladesh. During the Six Point Movement, which demanded
the economic autonomy of East Pakistan, Manik Mia played a critical role by encouraging Sheikh
Mujib himself to announce the revolutionary program. As such, Manik Mia indirectly played a role in
establishing Bangabandhu as the undisputed leader of the movement for Bangladesh’s independence.
His powerful political column, “Rajnoitik Moncho,” (the Political Stage), drove and determined the
agenda for the Awami League - the party which delivered Bangladesh’s independence.

Manik Mia shared a close friendship with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of
the Nation. The two men fought side by side in the quest to liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan.
During those arduous times, Manik Mia repeatedly incurred the wrath of censorship, being arrested
by Pakistani forces while the Daily Ittefaq was shut down; bombed and burnt to ashes.

Ultimately, both the paper and Manik Mia persevered. Manik Mia dedicated his life to the
emancipation of the people in then East Pakistan. However, he died before Bangladesh was born,
unable to witness the liberation of his country.

Today, The Daily Ittefaq continues to be a beacon of democracy and fearless journalism in Bangladesh.

‘The Daily Ittefaq: Front Pages’ captures the newspapers role in the Liberation War of Bangladesh
in a portrait of history. We hope this book will keep the inspiring history of Bangladesh, alive in the
hearts and minds of generations of Bangladeshis to come.

Anwar Hossain Manju

Chairman

Ittefaq Group of Publications Ltd.

7

Bangabandhu with Manik Miah.

Manik Miah with journalist A special moment.
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8

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Manik Miah with Bangabandhu

9

1953 1956 1956

The Language Movement Discrimination Against Political Disparity Between
& Daily Ittefaq Born East Pakistan East And West Pakistan
Page : 18 Page : 22 Page : 32

1970 1971 1971

70’s General Election Started Stormy March
Page : 112 Historical 71
Page : 126 Page : 146

TIMELINE

1966 1969 1970

The Six Point Mass uprising in The Cyclone of 1970
Movement East Pakistan Page : 102
Page : 60 Page : 84

1971 1972

The month of Independent
victory Bangladesh
Page : 172 Page : 186

12

Twin flames:
The Language Movement

and the Daily Ittefaq

In the aftermath of Pakistan’s attempt to impose Urdu as the
official state language, on February 23, 1947, Dhirendranath
Datta protested the declaration in the Pakistan Constituent
Assembly. This galvanized the people of East Pakistan, paving
the way for an onslaught of events that shaped the birth of
Bangladesh.

Faced with continued clashes, the Pakistani government invoked
Section 144, a remnant law from the British era , prohibiting
unlawful assemblies or public gatherings. On the 21 st of
February, 1952, on what is now known as Ekushey February,
several political leaders joined the student protestors of then Dacca
University, violating Section 144. On that day, killed by police
fire, 5 students became martyrs for their language, triggering a
widespread movement in the face of the growing discontent felt
by the Bengali people.

In East Pakistan, this movement against the ruling Pakistan Muslim
League was led by the Awami Muslim League, later renamed the
Awami League, the moniker still in place today. Several years
of continued conflict led to the government conceding in 1958,
ultimately recognizing Bengali as the state language of East
Pakistan.

It was in this turbulent period that The Daily Ittefaq was first
published, on the 24 th of December 1953, under the editorship
of Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah. The inaugural headline of
the newspaper on its very first day read, ‘Muslim League Party
Breathes in the Face of Mass Protests.’

13

14 24 December 1953

24 December 1953 15

16

In The Face of Inequality:
Discrimination Against

East Pakistan

The evident disparity between the two halves of Pakistan
quickly began to rise to the surface. Despite the population of
West Pakistan being less than that of the East, West Pakistan
enjoyed the lion’s share of all national revenue allocation, including
industrial development in exports such as jute, agrarian reform and
civic projects. Additionally, the national military and civilian services
were also dominated by West Pakistan, with the East having only
been represented by one regiment in the Pakistan army. The evidence
of this increasing inequality appeared on the pages and coverage of
the Daily Ittefaq.

Regardless of East Pakistan having a significantly larger population,
the political power of the nation remained in the hands of West
Pakistan. Instead of distributing power on the basis of population –
which would be favorable to East Pakistan – the West implemented
a “One Unit Theory” policy, where the entirety of West Pakistan was
considered one province. The primary goal was to balance votes in
the eastern and western parts of Pakistan. Even the military played
a part in instituting this conspiracy by moving further away from a
democratic government.

As General Ayub Khan seized the power, the unethical occupation
continued to widen the gap of inequality between the two halves of
Pakistan. During this time, The Daily Ittefaq stood against the military
rulers of West Pakistan and boldly continued to publish news as a
beacon of editorial truth, on behalf of the people of East Pakistan.

17

18 05 May 1956

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27 May 1956 21

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24 28 July 1956

04 September 1956 25

26 05 September 1956

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28

Political Disparity
Between East And

West Pakistan

Despite haveing the larger population in East Pakistan, the
political power of the country remained in the hands of West
Pakistan. As the distribution of power on the basis of population
was favorable to East Pakistan, West initiated a fancy concept
called ‘One Unit Theory’, where the whole of West Pakistan was
considered as one province. Its main purpose was to balance the
votes in the eastern and western parts of Pakistan.
From the very beginning, conspiracies in the name of governance
began to play their role in Pakistan. Even the military played a
key role in this conspiracy.
Since 1953, Pakistan’s military was breathing down the necks of
a democratic government. Finally, General Ayub Khan seized the
power of Pakistan in 1958 with various excuses.
This unethical occupation of power by the military rulers of
West Pakistan widen the gap between East and West Pakistan.
The daily Ittefaq was ignoring the eyes of the military rulers of
West Pakistan at that time and boldly published news as the main
newspaper of the people of East Pakistan.

29

30 11 September 1956

13 September 1956 31

32 04 December 1956

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10 January 1960 39

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