‘Muktijoddha'-to-‘associate' shift upsets Bangla veterans
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Kolkata: Bangladesh govt's ordinance, which has redefined the 'Freedom Fighter' status for those involved with the 1971 Liberation War, has sharp reactions from both sides of the border.
The National Freedom Fighters Council (Amendment) Ordinance-2025 on Tuesday amended the previous National Freedom Fighters Council Act-2022.
According to the ordinance, a 'Bir Muktijoddha' is defined as someone who, between March 26, 1971, and Dec 16, 1971, either prepared for war and received training at villages across Bangladesh, or crossed the border into India to enrol in various training camps with the aim of participating in the Liberation War.
The new categories are 'Muktijuddher Shohojogi' (Liberation War associate), 'Muktijoddha Poribar' (family of a freedom fighter) and 'Muktijuddher Shohojogi Poribar' (family of a Liberation War associate).
The initial confusion over Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's status as a Bir Muktijoddha was laid to rest with Faruk-e-Azam, advisor to the ministry of Liberation War affairs, saying Mujibur, along with the 400 leaders named in the news reports, were still recognised 'Muktijoddha'.
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Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artists and personnel, Bangladeshi journalists who worked in support of the war and Swadhin Bangla football team members will now be considered Liberation War associates.
A Bangladeshi national, who was commander of Dhaka north guerrilla unit and continues to be called a 'Bir Muktijoddha' as he was trained in India by the Indian Army and Bengal Regiment, opposed the move. "You can't push down artists and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra personnel, who were the main inspiration to citizens and freedom fighters, as associates.
If Faruk-e-Azam's statement that the term 'associate' does not imply any reduction in respect, it must be notified in a gazette," he said.
Mujib's contributions to the Liberation War have become an important topic of discussion. Kolkata-based director Soumitra Dastidar, now in Dhaka, said he believed the Liberation War was not an outcome of Mujib's call. "There is historical evidence supporting it. I support the decision to drop Mujibur's name from the definition of the Liberation War..."
Dastidar said, pointing out he did not support renaming some as associates of the war.
"It was a people's war. The mother, who cooked for fighters, or the boy, who sneaked in information, should be considered muktijoddhas."
In the new ordinance, Mujib's reference as the 'Father of the Nation' has been dropped from the preamble of Bangladesh. In Kolkata, Abhijit Dasgupta, director of 'Invincible Bravura' on the formation of the first 'Nau Commando' in the 1971 war, opposed this step. "The new categories are adding to confusion. It should be categorically notified in a gazette to ensure that the contribution of all freedom fighters are acknowledged and honoured," Dasgupta said.
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