East Pakistan Central Peace Committee facts for kids
The East Pakistan Central Peace Committee was a special group formed in 1971 by the government at that time. Its main job was to help calm down a big movement for independence in what was then called East Pakistan. Today, East Pakistan is known as Bangladesh.
People in East Pakistan wanted to become an independent country, separate from West Pakistan. This committee was created to try and stop this movement. It was often simply called the Peace Committee or Shanti Committee.
What Was East Pakistan?
Before 1971, the country of Pakistan was made up of two main parts: West Pakistan and East Pakistan. These two parts were separated by a large country, India. West Pakistan is where Pakistan is today. East Pakistan is now the country of Bangladesh.
Even though they were part of the same country, East and West Pakistan were very different. They had different languages, cultures, and traditions. Most people in East Pakistan spoke Bengali, while people in West Pakistan mostly spoke Urdu.
Why Did People Want Independence?
Many people in East Pakistan felt that they were not treated fairly by the government, which was mostly based in West Pakistan. They felt their language and culture were not respected. They also believed that East Pakistan was not getting enough resources or development compared to West Pakistan.
Over time, these feelings grew stronger. People wanted more control over their own lives and their region's future. They wanted East Pakistan to become an independent country where they could make their own decisions. This desire for independence led to a big movement and protests.
What Was the Peace Committee's Role?
The East Pakistan Central Peace Committee was set up by the government to try and stop the independence movement. The committee's goal was to encourage people to support the existing government and to discourage the idea of an independent Bangladesh.
The committee worked to spread messages that supported the unity of Pakistan. They tried to convince people that staying together was the best option. However, the movement for independence was very strong, and many people continued to support the idea of a separate country.
The events of 1971 were a very important time for the people of East Pakistan. Eventually, their efforts led to the creation of an independent nation, which is now Bangladesh.
