Bangladesh govt revises definition of freedom fighter

DHAKA: The government last night promulgated an ordinance redefining the term “freedom fighter” (Bir Muktijoddha) and introducing three new categories.

The new categories are Muktijuddher Shohojogi (associate of the Liberation War); Muktijoddha Poribar (family of a freedom fighter); and Muktijuddher Shohojogi Poribar (family of a Liberation War associate).

The definition of “associate of the Liberation War” specifically includes all Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) and Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) who were affiliated with the wartime provisional government of Bangladesh (Mujibnagar Government) and later considered members of the constituent assembly.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, and more than 400 others were members of the constituent assembly and used to be recognised as freedom fighters.

The ordinance, however, included the Mujibnagar government in the definition of “Bir Muktijoddha”.

According to the ordinance, the new definition of a Bir Muktijoddha reads:

“Bir Muktijoddha is someone who, between March 26 and December 16, 1971, either prepared for war and received training within villages across the country, or crossed the border into India to enroll in various training camps with the aim of participating in the Liberation War. These individuals actively took part in the war against the occupying and invading Pakistani armed forces and their local collaborators -- Razakars, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami, Nezame Islam, and the Peace Committee -- towards achieving Bangladesh’s independence.

Those recognised as freedom fighters must be civilians who were of the minimum age as determined by the government during the time of war.

Also included as freedom fighters are members of the armed forces, East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), police, the Mujibnagar government and its recognised forces, naval commandos, Kilo Force, and Ansar members.