Yunus government changes definition of freedom fighters, war, discards Bangabandhu

-Removes Bangabandhu’s proclamation of independence

-Redefines freedom fighters and Liberation War

-Name of Mujib Bahini removed

-Mujahid Bahini’s mention as collaborator removed

-Status of pro-liberation radio artistes, journalists, footballers removed too

The Jamaat-controlled interim government issued a new ordinance on Tuesday night, redefining the 1971 War of Independence and freedom fighters and removing the name and recognition of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The ordinance was issued by the Law Ministry, which is headed by the adviser and Dhaka University teacher, Dr Asif Nazrul—a pro-Pakistani element serving Jamaat members and militant groups, after revising the National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA) Act-2022.

In the revised law, the definition of the Liberation War and freedom fighters has been changed, and a new term, “associates of the Liberation War,” has been added.

As per the new definition, the civilians who actively took part in the war directly and members of various forces, the war heroines (Biranganas) and doctors and nurses are freedom fighters.

Others who supported the war at home and abroad but did not take arms, including the Mujibnagar Government officers and employees, will be regarded as associates.

The new definition contains the armed forces, East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), Police Force, Mukti Bahini, the Mujibnagar Government and forces recognised by the provisional government, Naval Commandos, Kilo Force, and Ansar members.

An ambiguity has been created due to the simultaneous reading of two different definitions. Although the “Mujibnagar Government” members, including Bangabandhu, Syed Nazrul Islam, and Tajuddin Ahmed, are freedom fighters, the new definition categorises all MNAs (Member of National Assembly) or MPAs (Member of Provincial Assembly), who were later considered as Members of the Constituent Assembly, as associates.

In the new definition, the name of Mujib Bahini has been removed. Serajul Alam Khan, Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani, Tofael Ahmed and Abdur Razzaq were the organisers of this force.

The freedom fighter status of pro-liberation artists of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, journalists, and footballers has also been revoked.

The circular was issued removing the name of Bangabandhu from the preamble and the definition of freedom fighters and the Liberation War, where his call for independence had been mentioned as the key inspiration.

Biharis speared!

The new definition contains the names of the auxiliary forces and collaborators of the Pakistan Army, including the Peace Committee, Razakar, al-Badr, al-Shams, the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Nezam-e-Islam.

In the ordinance, the government has removed the name of Mujahid Bahini, which comprised members of the Bihari community, who butchered the Bangalis as collaborators.

Rehabilitation of the defeated forces

The ordinance comes only a week after Jamaat leader and convicted war criminal ATM Azharul Islam was acquitted by the Supreme Court and subsequently released from prison.

Meanwhile, the government has banned the political activities of the Awami League, suspended its party registration, pressed charges against former prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal, which was set up to try the 1971 war criminals, and reinstated the registration of Jamaat with the Election Commission.

There are 208,050 registered freedom fighters in the country. Of them, only 91,998 are alive. Now the list of freedom fighters will be scrutinised in light of the definition.

Since August, the interim government has been criticised for neglecting the Liberation War, destroying the war museums, symbols and sculptures, and defaming Bangabandhu and freedom fighters.

In an interview soon after taking the oath, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said that they had pressed the “reset button” and would rewrite history.

Since then, the names of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina, and veteran freedom fighters have been removed from textbooks and establishments across the country. Latest, the Bangladesh Bank released new currency notes removing Bangabandhu’s image.  

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, other top leaders, war crimes trial campaigners and the pro-liberation people think that the defeated forces of the 1971 War of Independence are now taking revenge, with the help of the interim government.

They allege that the Yunus-led government is patronised by their Western masters and the Pakistani intelligence. The anti-Bangladesh elements forced the Awami League government to quit on August 5 through an anarchist movement, using armed militants and trained students.

Yunus was in the US in 1971 and participated in pro-liberation campaigns with other Bangladeshis.

However, his father, Hazi Dula Mia Saudagar, was a pro-Pakistani leader of the Muslim League in 1971. Yunus’ whole family supported the Pakistani Army, freedom fighter Siru Bangali, who hails from Chittagong, said recently.