Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman (March 17, 1920 – August 15, 1975) was a Bengali politician and the founding leader of the people’s Republic of Bangladesh, generally considered in the country as the father of the Bangladeshi nation. He headed the Awami League, served as the first president of Bangladesh, and later became its Prime Minister. He is popularly referred to as Sheikh Mujib, and with the honorary title of Bangabandhu.
A student political leader, Mujib rose in East Pakistani politics and within the ranks of the Awami League as a charismatic and forceful orator. An advocate of socialism, Mujib became popular for his leadership against the ethnic and institutional discrimination of Bengalis. He demanded increased provincial autonomy and became a fierce opponent of the military rule of Ayub Khan. At the heightening of sectional tension, Mujib outlined a 6-point autonomy plan, which was seen as separatism in West Pakistan.