On 8 March 1971, the momentum generated by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic 7 March address swept across East Pakistan, igniting unprecedented enthusiasm among students, youth, and professional organisations. His clarion call for the liberation struggle resonated in every neighbourhood, household, university, and workplace, prompting an extraordinary, spontaneous movement across the province.
In response to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s directives, black flags were hoisted in residential areas, student dormitories, and atop educational institutions. Vehicles—both government and private—displayed black flags in solidarity. Citizens from all walks of life, including High Court judges, government officials, students, and ordinary residents, actively participated in the non-cooperation movement. Effectively, East Pakistan operated under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s leadership and guidance, with the majority of the Bengali population adhering closely to his instructions.
Broadcasting of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic 7 March speech began at 8:30 am from the Dhaka Radio Centre and was relayed by other radio stations across the province, ensuring that his message reached the widest possible audience.
Student League President Nurul Alam Siddiqui and General Secretary Shahjahan Siraj, along with Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders ASM Abdur Rob and Abdul Kuddus Makhan, issued a joint statement calling on the people of Bengal to unite in the independence movement, pledging full support to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s announced programme at Racecourse Ground.
Later in the evening, Awami League General Secretary Tajuddin Ahmad issued a statement clarifying the practical implications of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s directives. Key public services, including banks, electricity, gas, postal savings, fertiliser, and diesel supply to power pumps, were to continue operating, ensuring minimal disruption to essential life.
Tajuddin Ahmad also strongly criticised the military regime’s press note, which claimed 127 deaths and 358 injuries on 7 March, calling the figures a gross understatement. He highlighted that unarmed civilians protesting peacefully were deliberately fired upon, exposing the regime’s attempt to misrepresent the events.
The reverberations of the independence movement were also felt abroad. Over 10,000 expatriate Bengalis in London protested outside the Pakistan High Commission, demanding an independent Bangladesh. Meanwhile, in cultural spheres, cinema owners voluntarily ceased displaying Pakistan’s flag and playing its national anthem, adhering to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s directives.
The escalating political unrest led 178 citizens of the United Kingdom and West Germany to leave Dhaka on that day. In Islamabad, political figures including PPP Chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto declined to comment on Awami League participation under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s conditions. Simultaneously, PDP President Nurul Amin and Muslim League leader Khan Asbur publicly endorsed the transfer of power to elected representatives in line with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s call, placing responsibility for recent unrest on West Pakistan’s leadership.
Key Instructions and Reactions on 7–8 March 1971
| Area | Instruction / Action | Responsible Party / Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Public Demonstration | Hoist black flags in neighbourhoods and institutions | Students, citizens, officials |
| Broadcasting | 7 March speech aired from 8:30 am | Dhaka Radio Centre, other stations |
| Essential Services | Banks open 9 am–3 pm; electricity, gas, postal savings operational | Tajuddin Ahmad, Awami League |
| Cultural Compliance | Suspend Pakistani flag display and anthem; cinema tax boycott | Cinema owners across Dhaka |
| International Response | Protests by expatriates; 178 foreigners leave Dhaka | London Bengalis, UK/Germany citizens |
| Political Endorsement | Support for power transfer to elected representatives | PDP, Muslim League leaders |
The events of 8 March 1971 demonstrated the profound influence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s leadership, galvanising Bengali society across all spheres—political, cultural, and social—towards the pursuit of independence.