National Press Club President poet Hasan Hafiz on Saturday alleged that the Awami League had politicised the spirit of the Liberation War and, in doing so, undermined genuine freedom fighters.

He said the party did not single-handedly achieve independence and claimed that irregularities began after independence through the distribution of freedom fighter certificates. He further alleged that the Liberation War narrative had been “distorted” for political gains, with real freedom fighters being sidelined.

Hasan Hafiz made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a shadow parliament debate competition organised by Debate for Democracy at the FDC, marking Independence Day.

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He also called for identifying fake freedom fighters and bringing them under legal action, urging authorities to cancel all undue benefits obtained through fraudulent certificates. He stressed the need to properly honour genuine freedom fighters and present an accurate history of the Liberation War, while remaining vigilant to prevent the return of authoritarian rule.

Presiding over the event, Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron said the struggle for true liberation remains incomplete, as equality, justice and social fairness have yet to be fully achieved. He also claimed that discrepancies remain in the list of freedom fighters and called for its revision.

In the debate competition, Sir Salimullah Medical College defeated Sonargaon University to emerge as champions. Judges included academics and journalists, and winners were awarded trophies and certificates.