New Dhaka Times: Desk Report
The freedom fighter recognition of over 400 political leaders (MNAs/MPAs) elected in the 1970 elections, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Syed Nazrul Islam, and Tajuddin Ahmad—who played crucial leadership roles during Bangladesh’s Liberation War—has been revoked. According to a new ordinance issued by the National Freedom Fighter Council (JAMUKA), they have now been classified as “associates of the Liberation War.”
The ordinance was issued by the Legislative and Parliamentary Division of the Ministry of Law on Tuesday night (May 3), following the President’s approval.
According to the ordinance, not only the members of the exile government but four other categories of individuals who were previously recognized as freedom fighters have also been reclassified as “associates of the Liberation War.” These categories are:
- Professionals who, during the Liberation War, helped build public opinion abroad in favor of Bangladesh.
- Officials, employees, envoys, and other assistants who worked under the Mujibnagar Government.
- Artists and staff of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and journalists who supported the Liberation War from within the country and abroad.
- Members of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team.
According to the National Freedom Fighter Council Act 2022, all these categories were previously recognized as gallant freedom fighters. However, the new ordinance has annulled their freedom fighter status and designated them as associates of the Liberation War.
This decision has sparked intense political and social reactions. On May 15, the Advisory Council of the Ministry of Law reviewed and approved the proposal, which was then finalized with the President’s signature.
The review revealed that significant changes were made in both the definition of a freedom fighter and the classification of “associates of the Liberation War” in the draft prepared by the National Freedom Fighter Council.
According to sources in the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, the initial draft was approved based on political decisions and was later revised.
As per the new ordinance, gallant freedom fighters are defined as those who directly participated in combat between March 26 and December 16, 1971, or received training in Indian camps and fought against Pakistani forces and their allies. Additionally, tortured women (Birangana) and doctors and nurses of field hospitals are also included in this recognition.
The new definition of the Liberation War states that it was a struggle to establish a free democratic state, in which the people of Bangladesh fought against Pakistani forces and their collaborators to uphold equality, human dignity, and social justice.