The government has begun legal and administrative action against individuals who fraudulently claimed freedom fighter status and secured government jobs and state benefits, Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ahmed Azam Khan told Parliament on Tuesday.
Responding to a call attention notice, the Minister said the process was already underway against those who, despite not being genuine freedom fighters, obtained government employment through the freedom fighter quota by using forged credentials.
"The government has already initiated the process of taking strict action against all non-freedom fighters and their heirs who secured government jobs through the freedom fighter quota by means of fraud," he said.
He added that the government's action would not be limited to fraudulent recruitment alone.
"Not only those who obtained jobs through the quota, but all non-freedom fighters and beneficiaries who unlawfully enjoyed state facilities by falsely claiming freedom fighter status are also being brought under legal action," the Minister told the House.
The issue was raised by National Citizens Party (NCP) MP Akhter Hossen from Rangpur-4, who alleged that the legacy of the Liberation War had been exploited for political and personal gain over the years.
He claimed that many people had turned the freedom fighter identity into a means of obtaining government jobs, political positions, allowances and other state benefits through fraudulent certificates, depriving deserving candidates.
The MP also questioned why Bangladesh still did not have a definitive list of genuine freedom fighters more than five decades after the Liberation War.
Referring to media reports, Akhter said allegations had been raised against around 79,000 individuals over the authenticity of their freedom fighter status.
"This is not a small number. Around 79,000 people have been accused of not being genuine freedom fighters, yet they have received allowances and other state benefits," he said.
Seeking clarification from the government, he asked whether it would prepare an accurate database and take action against those who falsely claimed freedom fighter status.
In his supplementary reply, Ahmed Azam Khan said the reported figure of 79,000 was not based on verified information and the actual number of fraudulent beneficiaries could be even higher.
He also referred to past political controversies surrounding debates over the Liberation War and said previous governments had used the issue to target political opponents.
The Minister reiterated that the present government was committed to protecting the true spirit of the Liberation War and would not compromise in identifying fraudulent claimants and taking action against them.
"We are working on these issues, and I hope the honourable member will see the results," he said.