Activists are vehemently condemning the brutal assault on Beg Liakat Ali, a 76-year-old freedom fighter and vice-president of the Khulna city unit of the Awami League, by a pro-government mob near Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) on Saturday.
This heinous act, captured in photos and videos circulated on social media, represents not only a vicious attack on an elderly veteran but also a disturbing trend of vilifying Bangladeshโs Liberation War and defaming its revered freedom fighters.
On Saturday, local residents and KUET students seized Liakat Ali near the Badamtola Police Training Centre and mercilessly beat him in the Phulbari Gate area.
The assailants, instead of facing justice, handed him over to the police, who shockingly took no action against the attackers. Instead, they transferred Liakat Ali to a prison cell at Khulna Medical College and Hospital, disregarding his frail health.
The attackers further celebrated their cruelty by sharing images and videos of the assault online, amplifying the humiliation of a national hero.
Since the political changeover on August 5, supporters of the Jamaat-controlled interim government have increasingly targeted individuals affiliated with the Awami League, resorting to violence and torture.
Liakat Ali surrendered in court and was granted bail due to age-related health complications, including a recent stroke that impaired his speech, mobility, and recognition abilities.
On the day of the attack, he was merely visiting a tea stall near his home when the mob set upon him, repeatedly striking his head despite his pleas for mercy as a stroke patient.
At one point, he flopped on the street in despair.
Disturbingly, a nearby police team, including a female officer who was visibly distraught, failed to intervene.
This assault is part of a broader, alarming pattern of eroding the legacy of Bangladeshโs Liberation War. Local and international groups have condemned the rising mob attacks, as well as the systematic demolition of sculptures and museums honouring the war and its heroes.
Recent reports highlight a troubling trend of attacks on freedom fighters, coupled with government efforts to redefine their status. Introducing the term โassociatesโ to describe freedom fighters diminishes their sacrifices. At the same time, the acquittal and release of convicted war criminal and Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam further embolden those seeking to rewrite history.
Such actions betray the sacred memory of the 3 million martyrs who fought for Bangladeshโs independence.
Netizens stood in solidarity with freedom fighter Liakat Ali and condemned these barbaric attacks and the deliberate campaign to vilify the Liberation War. The failure to protect national heroes and the tacit approval of mob violence demand urgent action. Authorities must hold the perpetrators accountable, safeguard the dignity of freedom fighters, and preserve the true history of Bangladeshโs struggle for independence.
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