Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Tuesday said the 16th December and the 1971 Liberation War solely belong to Bangladesh. “The post made by the Indian Prime Minister is his personal view. The nine-month war and the 16th December belong to Bangladesh only,” he said while responding to queries from reporters after attending the graduation parade of the 3rd batch of the Bangladesh Marine Academy, Sylhet. Reflecting on the war, he said, “The nine-month-long Liberation War was marked by immense bloodshed and the loss of dignity of our women. Bangladesh started the war, Bangladesh finished it, and the whole world knows it. Comments diminishing these sacrifices, even after 52 years, deeply hurt those who participated in the war.” Read: President Shahabuddin pays tribute to Liberation War martyrs on Victory Day Pointing at the cadets, he underscored ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity and reputation of the country’s marine academies. "We are taking initiatives to equip our sailors with advanced skills and training to compete at the international level," Sakhawat said. He also announced measures to increase women's participation in the marine profession, revealing that five male and five female instructors have been brought from abroad to enrich the academies. The event was also addressed by the Commandant of Bangladesh Marine Academy, Sylhet, Engineer Mohammad Humayun Kabir.

Bangladesh celebrated its 54th Victory Day on Monday, marking the nation's birth through the sacrifices of three million martyrs and the resilience of countless mothers and sisters, with various commemorative programmes. President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid glowing tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar, located on the outskirts of the capital, with the sun rising. After placing the wreath, President Shahabuddin stood in solemn silence for a while to pay respects to the brave martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971. During the ceremony, a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force saluted the president and presented a guard of honour. Besides, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and First Lady Dr Rebeka Sultana hosted a reception at Bangabhaban today, marking the Victory Day. The event was attended by a diverse gathering of distinguished guests, including Chief Justice Syed Rafaat Hassan, members of the council of advisers, ambassadors and high commissioners from various countries. In addition, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and President of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta placed wreaths at the Jatiya Smritisoudho to honour the country's Freedom Fighters to mark the Victory Day celebrations. Dr Yunus said Victory Day is not only a source of pride but also an “oath day.” President Shahabuddin hosts Victory Day reception at Bangabhaban "The oath is to remain united, protect the sovereignty of the country, and uphold the spirit of the Liberation War," he said in a message on the occasion of Victory Day. Dr Yunus remembered the brave martyrs of the freedom struggle with respect and honoured their sacrifices.

The killing of intellectuals in a planned and brutal massacre during the Liberation War was the most heinous act of vengeance by anti-liberation forces after their defeat, remarked Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus. In a message issued on Friday marking the occasion of Shaheed Buddhijibi Dibosh (Martyred Intellectuals Day), to be observed on Saturday, Dr Yunus paid deep respects to the martyred intellectuals and valiant heroes of the Liberation War, praying for the peace and salvation of their departed souls. Martyred Intellectuals Day to be observed Saturday Terming Martyred Intellectuals Day a "disgraceful chapter" in Bangladesh's history, he said, “In the final days of the Liberation War, realising their imminent defeat, the Pakistani occupation forces and their collaborators killed the intellectuals of Bangladesh in a ruthless attempt to leave the nation bereft of its brightest minds.” He elaborated, saying, "On the brink of victory, anti-liberation forces targeted and killed eminent academics, journalists, writers, doctors, scientists, lawyers, artists, engineers, philosophers and political thinkers to cripple the intellectual foundation of the newly emerging nation." Among the martyrs were Dhaka University professors Mofazzal Haider Chaudhury, Munier Chowdhury, and Anwar Pasha; journalist Shahidullah Kaiser; writer Selina Parveen; physician Dr Fazle Rabbi; lawyer Abdul Alim Chaudhury; and others such as Dr Jyotirmoy Guhathakurta, Sirajuddin Hossain, and Giasuddin. Dr Yunus said that the primary aim of these atrocities was to render the Bengali nation intellectually incapacitated. BNP announces programmes to mark Martyred Intellectuals Day, V Day “This orchestrated and barbaric act of mass murder was the ultimate revenge of the anti-liberation forces after their failure in the war,” he said. On the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, the Chief Adviser urged everyone to remain united and resolute in their efforts to thwart any conspiracies or machinations by anti-liberation forces. He called on all citizens to fulfil their responsibilities from their respective positions to uphold the values of the Liberation War and protect the nation from threats to its freedom and progress.

Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam, Adviser has said legal action will be taken against those fraudulently claiming allowances and benefits as freedom fighters. In an interview with UNB, Farooq said the current list of freedom fighters is under review, and non-freedom fighters will be removed. "There are many cases, and we need to contest them in court to move forward," he said, adding this is part of a broader strategy to reassess and redefine who qualifies as a freedom fighter.  "Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (Jamuka) has been formed, and meetings have taken place, suggesting that the definition of a freedom fighter may change. Genuine freedom fighters should be acknowledged, and those who fought in the field, as well as indirect contributors, should be honoured," the adviser said. He said that he could not yet specify how many people had been gazetted as freedom fighters and added that the verification of who the true freedom fighters were should happen. Govt to consult with political parties after receiving all commission reports: Liberation War Affairs adviser Farooq added that this list should have been finalised in 1972, right after the war, when information was more accessible. "It should have been finalised in 1972, when everyone had the information, making it easier to compile," he said. This delay has led to the current challenges and the need for thorough verification. "Freedom fighters are considered honourable, and we cannot accept anything imposed. If there was objectivity, every martyr would have a story. We do not hear many stories of such martyrs," the Liberation War Affairs Adviser said. "When I first joined, I asked where the list was supposed to be. They said there was no list," he said. "If we find specific evidence, we will take action, as deceiving the state is punishable. This might make many realise their wrongdoing," he added. "We will proceed with the review and act on cases with court outcomes,” the adviser also said. Notices will be sent to those who falsely claimed freedom fighter status. "If they cannot provide proper evidence, they will be removed from the list, and those who have received benefits for so long will be punished," he added. “There is no plan to reduce the benefits and allowances of freedom fighters," he assured. The ministry said that 207,664 individuals currently receive allowances as freedom fighters, including war heroes, and families of martyred heroes.

Bangladesh's Victory Day will be celebrated this time with nationwide "Victory Fairs" instead of the traditional parade at the National Parade Square, says Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam. "Victory Day is an unparalleled day for our nation…the nation achieved this victory after nine months of war, with people from all over the country participating in the struggle," Farooq-e-Azam said in an interview with UNB. Highlighting the new plan and format, the adviser said that Victory Day celebrations had historically been vibrant community events. Action to be taken against fake freedom fighters: Adviser Farooq-e-Azam "Once, this victory festival was celebrated in villages across the country. Over time, these celebrations became less active. This year, we are reviving the festival at the district and upazila levels nationwide," he explained. The Victory Fairs will feature art and craft exhibits, agricultural product displays, and showcases of domestic goods. Cultural programmes will include the participation of children, women, and men, making the celebration inclusive for all, Farooq-e-Azam said. Schools will also host their own programs as part of the festivities, he said. For the first time in recent memory, the traditional parade at the National Parade Square will not be held. Rehabilitation efforts will be implemented transparently under relief coordination committee: Adviser Farooq-E-Azam Explaining this change, Farooq-e-Azam said, "The army is currently engaged in activities across the country, and organising the parade requires advance preparation, which wasn’t feasible this year." When asked if the Chief Adviser would participate in this year's celebrations, he clarified, "No, the Chief Adviser will not attend a parade because it is not happening this year. Instead, Victory Fairs will be organized at the district and upazila levels." Special receptions and tributes for freedom fighters will be organized in every district and upazila, including Dhaka, under the local administration’s guidance. "Freedom fighters and people from all local levels will participate actively in these events," Farooq-e-Azam said. The Dhaka district administration will play a key role in organizing activities in the capital. Meanwhile, the Chief Adviser and President will lay wreaths at the National Monument as part of the day’s commemorations. Adviser Farooq-e-Azam given charge of Liberation War Affairs Ministry On December 14, the Chief Adviser and President will visit the National Intellectuals' Graveyard, where a solemn tribute will be paid to the martyrs. They will also participate in a discussion at Rayer Bazar. "The shift in celebration format aims to bring more active public involvement and create a festive atmosphere in every part of the country," Farooq-e-Azam concluded. "This year’s events are designed to reflect the spirit of Victory Day and engage citizens from all walks of life," he added.

Gallery Cosmos is set to host a daylong event that will feature freedom fighter and eminent artist Biren Shome, who will collaborate with a group of future master artists to craft a compelling collection on Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971. Eminent artist Rafiqun Nabi gets showered with love on 80th birthdayThe event will take place at Cosmos Center at Malibagh in Dhaka on Tuesday (Dec 12) from 3:30 pm to 7 pm.Biren Shome will be leading a group of talented emerging painters in bringing to life the significance of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War. Irish writer Paul Lynch wins Booker Prize with dystopian novel 'Prophet Song'

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque on Tuesday said the list of Razakars, an auxiliary force of the Pakistani occupation force during the 1971 liberation war, will be disclosed by December this year. He came up with the remark while talking to journalists after offering the Jummah prayer in Hazart Shahjalal (R) Majar Masjid in Sylhet. “Razakars’ list of principles were drafted, and even work is going on in this regard, it will be possible to disclose the list of the Razakars by December,” the minister said. He said, “Even before there was no act to make a list of the Razakars, the act was passed in the last parliament. Now a committee by making Parliamentary Standing Committee President on the Liberation War Affairs Shahjahan Khan as convener was formed to prepare the list.” Read more: Govt finally publishes list of 10,789 Razakars The minister hoped that the list will be disclosed at the end of the year. Asked about the ongoing movement by the opposition BNP on the caretaker government, he expressed reluctance to make comments saying that the party chief or general secretary can talk on this issue.  

Anti war crimes campaigners and rights activists have criticized the latest US human rights report on Bangladesh that advocated for the “freedom of assembly” of Jamaat-e-Islami – which strongly opposed the independence of Bangladesh and with the Pakistan army committed crimes against humanity during the Liberation War. According to the US State Department report: “Leaders and members of Jamaat-e-Islami (Jamaat), the largest Muslim political party in the country, could not exercise their constitutional freedoms of speech and assembly because of harassment by law enforcement authorities. Jamaat was deregistered as a political party by the government, prohibiting candidates from seeking office under the Jamaat name.” “This report concerns Jamaat-e-Islami (Jamaat) Bangladesh, a political party which has the proven record of collaborating with the Pakistani Military junta in 1971 in the acts of genocide, abduction, loot, arson, rape and other kinds of violence against women. It is an established fact that its military wings in the name of Al-Badr and Al-Shams were responsible for the killings of intellectuals between December 10 and 14,” noted rights activist Sultana Kamal observed. “With due respect, I would like to submit that scanning through the media, Pakistani government communications, international reports on Bangladesh genocide of 1971, one cannot miss seeing what was the role of Jamaat during the nine months of massacre of Bangladesh… It was through a process of law that Jamaat was deregistered,” she said. As a freedom fighter, she asked if one can imagine Nazi party being allowed to function in Germany. Regarding the US report mentioning Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal as “many observers viewed the proceedings as politically motivated,” the rights activist who is also a renowned lawyer said: “I have no idea on what basis the report states the war crimes trial in Bangladesh was flawed. Since I have not seen any clear explanation as to why some quarters make such remark about the war crimes trial, I prefer not to comment. However, my experience with the tribunal was that the accused’s right to self-defence was fully respected.” Meanwhile, Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee – a group demanding the trial of war criminals and advocating for secularism in Bangladesh – has released a statement regarding the US report. “Jamaat is still engaged in various forms of evil conspiracy against democracy and sovereignty of the country through their sponsored militant, terrorist organisations,” the statement reads. “Jamaat is an anti-democratic fascist party which does not obey the constitution. That’s why the High Court scrapped its registration, not the government,” the Nirmul Committee statement adds. The statement also cautions that the “untrue” claims about Jamaat in the US report could instigate “fundamentalism and terrorism” led by Jamaat. Signatories to the statement included Justice Shamsul Huda; former Supreme Court justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik; Barrister Shafique Ahmed; Prof Anupam Sen; cultural personality Ramendu Majumdar; noted artists Hashem Khan and Rafiqun Nabi; writer and war crimes researcher Shahriar Kabir; historian Prof Muntassir Mamoon; and writer and educationist Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal.

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said that if BNP gets power again, there will be no spirit of Liberation War in the country.  "We cannot hand over power to BNP, which is the patron of communal forces and militancy," he said. He made the remarks while joining a discussion meeting organised in the city by Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League unit to commemorate the ‘Homecoming Day’ of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after Bangladesh gained victory over Pakistan in 1971. Bangabandhu returned to Dhaka via London and New Delhi on January 10 in 1972 after being freed from jail in Pakistan. Read more: Must maintain good relations with India: Obaidul Quader Quader said that another name for Bangladesh is Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu will remain as long as this land exists, he added. Pointing to BNP's mass sit-in programme on Wednesday, he bitterly criticised the opposition party and said 54 parties have joined hands against Sheikh Hasina. “(But) What will the 54 parties do? They can’t do anything,” he said.   Criticising local media, Quader said he could not stay at home even for 50 days during the BNP regime. “(Now) Two BNP leaders had been in jail for 26 days. Some media outlets are writing in a way as if they had been in jail for 26 thousand years,” he said. Read more: Awami League ready to quash domestic, foreign conspiracies: Quader Quader said there will be a game “against corruption, looting and misrule” of BNP. He said that Hasina has “repaired what the BNP had destroyed while in power.” "Sheikh Hasina inaugurated hundreds of bridges and hundreds of roads in one day. Sheikh Hasina can, only Sheikh Hasina can. Let us strengthen her hands," he said. Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League General Secretary Humayun Kabir presided over the meeting.

Back in the country, whose birth she documented, after half a century – Anne de Henning effortlessly recalls those tumultuous times. The veteran photographer met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the other surviving family members of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 Memorial Museum on December 19, 2022 – an event she described as “an emotional family reunion”. Henning photographed Bangabandhu giving a speech at the first Council Meeting of Awami League in independent Bangladesh, in 1972. After Bangabandhu and most of his family members were brutally assassinated in 1975, his images were routinely destroyed. Henning’s colour photos of the Father of the Nation are among the few known to still exist. During the Liberation War in 1971, when Pakistan army was not allowing foreign photographers to come here, what compelled her to undertake a perilous journey to Bangladesh? Read more: Anne de Henning’s rare photos of Bangladesh’s birth, Bangabandhu to have Dhaka exhibit Dec 15-24 “I was in Kathmandu at the time, and I saw a dispatch in the local English paper… that trouble had erupted in (then) East Pakistan and that Pakistani authorities had closed the country to the foreign press. And I thought, well, I’m going to go there. As journalists and photographers, when you are told you can’t go somewhere, you know something is going on. So that’s where you want to go,” Henning said.