Several historic events on 3 March 1971 marked a significant moment in the history of the Bangalee nation.
On that day, a complete strike was observed across East Pakistan, with the Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad orchestrating a rally at Paltan Maidan. During the event, student leaders unveiled the Manifesto of Independence, while Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman unequivocally addressed the crowd about the pursuit of independence.

Dhaka turned into a city of processions on the day. Thousands of freedom-loving Bangalees, taking part in the processions, joined the mammoth rally at Paltan Maidan.

The then Chhatra League president Nur-E-Alam Siddique, general secretary Shajahan Siraj, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) vice-president ASM Abdur Rob and general secretary Abdul Quddus Makhan took an oath to fight for the liberation of the country.

Shahjahan Siraj read out the Manifesto of Independence on behalf of the students in the presence of Bangabandhu. The manifesto was considered to be a guideline for achieving independence.

The manifesto declared Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Supreme Commander of Independent and Sovereign Bangladesh, Poet Rabindranath Tagore’s patriotic song “Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomay Bhalobashi” (oh my golden Bengal, I love you) as the national anthem and the red and green flag with golden map as Bangladesh’s national flag.

The Manifesto of Independence declared three aims a new country will be created for the development of Bangla, and Bengali tradition and culture; a socialist economy will be developed to eliminate inequalities among individuals and in the region; and a true democracy will be established with freedom of persons, speech and press.

The manifesto also proposed five guidelines to unite the whole nation and spread the independence movement. It also urged the people to boycott the products produced in West Pakistan.
While addressing the rally, Bangabandhu talked about Bangladesh’s independence. The Daily Ittefaq and the Daily Azad published detailed reports on Bangabandhu’s speech the following day.
Bangabandhu in his speech said, “Even if I die, seven crore people will witness that the country becomes truly independent. Come to Race Course Maidan on 7 March, I shall announce the next course of action.”
After Bangabandhu’s speech, the enthusiastic people chanted the slogan “Bir Bangalee Astra Dharo, Bangladesh Swadhin Karo” (Brave Bangalees take up arms and free Bangladesh).

National Assembly member Tofail Ahmed, labour leader Abdul Mannan and DUCSU General Secretary Abdul Quddus Makhan addressed the rally held with Chhatra League President Nur-E-Alam Siddique in the chair. DUCSU Vice-president Rob did not speak at the rally for reasons unknown.

Dr Mohammad Hannan wrote about the matter elaborately in his book “Bangladesher Muktijuddher Itihas” (History of Bangladesh’s Liberation War).
According to him, at the 3 March rally, Bangabandhu said payment of taxes will be suspended until the repression of the Pakistan autocratic government ends. He also urged the people to stop going to offices and courts.
On the day, General Yahya Khan had called a meeting of political leaders for 10 March.
He invited Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan People’s Party, Khan Abdul Wali Khan of National Awami Party, Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan of Pakistan Muslim League and Mian Mumtaz Daultana of Council Muslim League to the meeting.

The invitation was sent from the Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidential Palace) in Rawalpindi. It was also said that the national parliamentary assembly will be held within two weeks of the meeting.
Bangabandhu, however, rejected General Yahya’s invitation calling it a “cruel joke”. “If you do not want a democratically elected government, then you can form your own government. We will form the government of Bangladesh,” Bangabandhu said.
From the Paltan Maidan rally, Bangabandhu announced the observance of hartal every day from 6am to 2pm from 4 to 6 March.