The peaceful non-cooperation movement of Bangalees stepped into its 16th day on 17 March in East Pakistan amid a discussion between Awami League chief Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Pakistan President Yahya Khan.

On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu met Yahya at the Governor House for the second consecutive day to resolve the ongoing crisis. They talked for around an hour. On completion of the meeting, Bangabandhu in a press briefing told journalists that the discussion would continue until they achieved their goal.

On Bangabandhu’s 52nd birthday, his numerous admirers and followers gathered outside his Dhanmondi-32 residence, bringing flowers to express their wishes. However, the great leader only acknowledged them with a wave of his hand.

During the occasion, a foreign journalist, among those who came to extend birthday wishes, inquired about the absence of celebrations despite Bangabandhu’s stature as a great leader.

In response, Bangabandhu remarked, “The people of my country are simple, poor, and burdened with grief. Their birthdays and death anniversaries often go unnoticed. I am the leader of such unfortunate people, and my fate is intertwined with theirs. Therefore, my birthday holds no special significance. That is why there are no candles, cakes, or celebrations.”

On this day, National Awami Party (NAP) Chief Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani at a public meeting in Chattogram urged people to observe 23 March as “Swadheen Purbabangla Dibash” instead of observing the day as National Day of Pakistan.

Later in the evening, while addressing reporters in Chattogram, Bhasani, also known as Majlum Jananeta, said, “East Bengal has achieved independence. Seven and a half crore Bangalees are now united in their quest for freedom. Throughout my 90 years of life, I have been engaged in various movements, yet I have never witnessed such unity and cooperation among people rallying behind a universal demand like the present.”

In the meantime, President Yahya Khan invited Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Dhaka. On that night, the date of the next meeting was announced and it was said that the president would meet the Awami League chief on 19 March.

Military men attacked trucks in Tejgaon and Mohakhali areas where they mugged money and tortured unarmed men on 17 March night. The incident made people more furious towards West Pakistani rulers. On the day, an aid consignment for the people of East Pakistan was intercepted in Chattogram and rerouted towards Karachi.

As part of extensive preparations for the struggle for freedom, the students started training in parade and rifle firing in different areas, including Dhaka University playground.

Chhatra Sangram Parishad (Student Action Council) also announced a programme to mark Pakistan Day on 23 March as Resistance Day. On that day, a programme was announced to hoist the flag of independent Bangladesh in all public and private buildings.