Expressing resentment over the state’s negligence in taking whereabouts of families of 1, 399 gazetted martyred freedom fighters (FFs) for the past 20 years, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam ordered the authorities concerned to take measures to address it immediately. “Even after 20 years since the gazette was published, neither application has been submitted by these families, nor the government has taken any initiative to reach out to them,” he said in an interview with UNB on Monday. Under the ‘Honorarium Distribution Order-2021,’ family members of martyred, titled, and wounded FFs are provided benefits through the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters’ Welfare Trust, he said. During the BNP’s last tenure, the then government published a gazette in three phases from 2003 to 2005, with 6,757 martyred FFs listed. Of them, families of 5,358 have been receiving the honorarium after applying while 1,399 families have not applied for any benefit for the two decades, said the adviser. Taking it seriously, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has initiated efforts to identify these families aiming at providing them their entitled benefits once identified, Farooq said, adding that a list of the FFs, including their names and addresses, has already been sent to deputy commissioners (DCs). Action to be taken against fake freedom fighters: Adviser Farooq-e-Azam “The list of martyred FFs was finalised more than 30 years after independence. Families of martyred FFs receive allowances under the Welfare Trust. The first gazette for civilian martyrs was published on October 6, 2003, followed by the gazette for military martyrs on April 12, 2004, and the gazette for police and BDR (now BGB) martyrs on June 15, 2005. These lists included names of 6,757 FFs,” he informed. The adviser asked officials why 1, 399 FFs do not receive benefits, they (officials) replied that their families never applied. Questioning the government’s role in identifying these families, he wanted to know, “Has the state ever tried to find out who they are? These people fought for the country; they were farmers and workers, not bureaucrats. They might not even understand what a gazette or list means.” He emphasised that many of the widows of the FFs were housewives who might not have been aware of the gazette. “Why didn’t the state reach them out?” he asked. According to the Welfare Trust, the families of the martyred FFs are entitled to a monthly allowance of Tk 30,000, two festival bonuses of Tk 23,000 annually, and an additional Tk 2,000 as a New Year allowance, among other financial benefits. Farooq informed that he had instructed DCs during the last DCs conference to find out these families with the help of the Welfare Trust. DCs were also directed to visit each household and submit reports within 15-20 days in this regard. “We have categorised and separated the gazetted martyred FFs and sent their details to the DCs.” Crackdown on Fake FFs Once Ordinance Finalised The adviser said that numerous complaints have been lodged from different districts regarding fake FFs. Once amendments to the Jatiyo Muktijoddha Council (Jamuka) Act are finalised, the process of reorganising the Muktijoddha Council will begin. A new ad hoc committee will be formed, which, with the help of Jamuka and the administration, will investigate and verify the complaints, he said. Victory Day to feature nationwide fairs instead of parade: Adviser Farooq-e-Azam “We previously announced that those who voluntarily remove their names from the freedom fighters’ list would get indemnity and go unpunished. So far, around 10-12 people have applied for removal, admitting their wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness from the nation,” he said. He mentioned that freedom fighter organisations have urged the government to set a deadline—possibly March 26 for voluntary removal. “We are considering their demand.” Legal Action Against Fake Freedom Fighters Warning action, the adviser said those found guilty of fraudulently obtaining freedom fighter status would face legal action. “This is a betrayal of the nation, and even those involved in making fake freedom fighters will be brought to justice through proper investigations.” Former Minister Accused of Being a Fake FF When asked about allegations that former Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque was a fake freedom fighter, Farooq said that such a complaint had been filed with Jamuka. “We will prioritise this issue in our next meeting and discuss it.” FFs’ Welfare Trust Funds at Risk Expressing concerns over the financial management of the Welfare Trust, he said that a significant amount of funds had been deposited in financially unstable banks. “The Trust has a big fund, and for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, all its money has been deposited in the private First Security Islami Bank, which cannot even return Tk 10 crore. Yet, the Trust has deposited Tk 167 crore there. Only Allah knows when this money will be returned,” he said. He hinted that certain individuals may have benefited from placing the funds in such banks, and the matter is under scrutiny. 90,000 Govt Employees Under FF Quota The adviser disclosed that around 90,000 jobholders were recruited under the freedom fighter quota. “We will conduct a thorough verification process. If anyone has any objections, they can report them to us, and we will investigate,” he assured. Dedicated Bench for FFs’ Cases With some 2,700 pending cases related to freedom fighters, the adviser has sought a meeting with the Chief Justice to request a dedicated bench for expediting their resolution. “We need a separate bench to prioritise these cases and ensure justice for freedom fighters,” he said. July uprising victims to be recognised as 'July Martyrs’, July Warriors: Adviser Farooq

Only those who fought directly on the battlefield against the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971 will be recognised as ‘freedom fighters,’ while those who played a role in mobilising public opinion, securing diplomatic support and assisting the war efforts from home and abroad will be categorised as ‘Liberation War Associates.’  “We are amending the ‘National Freedom Fighters Council Act, 2022’ through an ordinance to bring about this change,” Farooq-e-Azam, the adviser to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, revealed this in an interview with UNB.  When asked about the existing law, eight categories of individuals and professionals who did not directly participate in combat are recognised as ‘Bir Muktijoddha’ (valiant freedom fighters).   “The draft of the ‘National Freedom Fighters Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025’ has been prepared, and stakeholders have been consulted on the matter. The draft may be placed for approval in the Advisory Council meeting in the first week of March.”  Farooq-e-Azam said that there have been demands to remove those with freedom fighter certificates who did not engage in direct combat.  “That is why we want to bring some amendments to the National Freedom Fighters Council Act. The major amendment will be in the definition of freedom fighters,” he said.  July uprising victims to be recognised as 'July Martyrs’, July Warriors: Adviser Farooq Explaining the revised categorisation, he added, “Those who fought directly in the battlefield and those who assisted in various ways are being classified separately. Those who played a role in shaping public opinion abroad, those involved with the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, those in administrative positions in Mujibnagar at various levels—everyone will be distinguished separately.” Under the amended law, he said, those who engaged in direct armed combat will be recognised as freedom fighters, while those who contributed in other capacities will be known as Liberation War Associates. “There are no objections regarding allowances or benefits. The only concern is that the status of ‘freedom fighter’ remains exclusive to those who fought in the battlefield,” he asserted.  Various freedom fighter organisations have expressed strong opposition to equating direct combatants with others, according to the adviser.  “They came to speak with me, and I strongly agreed with their stance. Like them, I was also involved in the war effort but in a different capacity. I worked in a secure environment to support the liberation cause in different ways. That, too, is important, but it should be defined separately,” he mentioned.  Existing definition under the law The current law defines a ‘Bir Muktijoddha’ as, “Any civilian or member of the armed forces, Mujib Bahini, Mukti Bahini, and other recognised forces, police force, EPR naval commandos, Kilo Force, or Ansar members who, in response to the declaration of independence by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, prepared for battle in villages and towns within the country, received internal training, and actively participated in the war against the occupying Pakistani military forces and their collaborators—including Jamaat-e-Islami, Nezam-e-Islam, Muslim League, and their auxiliary forces such as the Razakars, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, Mujahid Bahini, and the Peace Committee—between 26 March and 16 December 1971.”  The law also currently grants freedom fighter status to eight categories of individuals who did not directly participate in combat. Amnesty if fake freedom fighters apologise: Farooq-e-Azam These include those who trained in India, those who mobilised global opinion in favour of the war, officials and employees of the Mujibnagar government, MNAs affiliated with the Mujibnagar government who were later recognised as members of the Constituent Assembly, Birangonas (women subjected to wartime atrocities), artists and staff of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, journalists working for the war effort at home and abroad, members of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team and medical teams treating wounded freedom fighters.  Key Changes in Draft Ordinance Farooq-e-Azam noted that the phrase ‘in response to the declaration of independence by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’ has been removed from the new definition of freedom fighters in the draft ordinance.  Besides, the new ordinance proposes to grant ‘freedom fighter’ status to all women who were persecuted by the Pakistani forces and their collaborators and to all doctors, nurses and medical assistants who provided field hospital services to wounded freedom fighters during the war.  Victory Day to feature nationwide fairs instead of parade: Adviser Farooq-e-Azam The adviser also pointed out a major issue with the current definition of freedom fighters.  “Freedom fighters engaged in war voluntarily, not under any orders. But the wording of present law suggests that we did not intend to go to war but did so only in response to someone’s call. That is incorrect. Freedom fighters joined the war out of their love for the country and its people. It was either their life or that of the enemy. Love for the nation is the only reason people are willing to sacrifice their lives, not an order from someone,” he explained.  Definition of liberation war associates Under the draft ordinance, Liberation War Associates are defined as:  “Those who, between March 26 and December 16, 1971, either within the country or abroad, inspired freedom fighters, accelerated the Liberation War, and played an organisational role in securing Bangladesh’s independence by shaping global opinion, gaining diplomatic support, and strengthening psychological resilience.”  Under the current law, these individuals are recognised as freedom fighters.  Approval Process Farooq-e-Azam said, “We have gathered public opinion from various quarters on the draft ordinance and considered their feedback. On Sunday (February 23), we held discussions with multiple freedom fighter organisations, which also provided their opinions. We will modify the draft ordinance based on these views and finalise it in the upcoming National Freedom Fighters Council meeting before presenting it to the advisory council. The vetting process for the ordinance has already been completed.”  The next council meeting is expected to take place by Thursday. “We hope to send it to the advisory council in the first week of March,” he added.  Minimum Age   On the issue of minimum age, the adviser noted, “To be recognised as a freedom fighter, the minimum age during the war must have been 12 years and 6 months. However, there is an ongoing legal case regarding this. If the court does not rule otherwise, this age requirement will remain unchanged. If the court upholds the existing age limit, a large number of “Omuktijoddha” [unqualified individuals] will be removed from the freedom fighter list.”  Chances for False Claimers    The adviser revealed that several freedom fighter organisations have proposed allowing individuals who obtained benefits under false pretences to seek forgiveness by submitting an application by March 26.  “This is a demand from various [freedom fighter] organisations, but the government has yet to take a final decision. However, we are considering it positively,” he said.  According to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, there are currently 91,998 living freedom fighters in Bangladesh. The Management Information System (MIS) records show that a total of 256,476 individuals have been officially gazetted as freedom fighters.