Latest news with #BirMuktijoddha
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Muktijoddha'-to-‘associate' shift upsets Bangla veterans
1 2 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'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Is How Much New Windows Should Cost In 2025 Storm Through Windows Learn More Undo 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.
United News of India
6 days ago
- General
- United News of India
Yunus administration strips status of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a freedom fighter
Dhaka, June 4 (UNI) In a surprising move, the Yunus govt has stripped 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's status as a 'freedom fighter'. The interim govt's ordinance redefined the term 'freedom fighter' (Bir Muktijoddha), introducing three new categories. These categories include: the Muktijuddher Shohojogi (associate of the Liberation War); Muktijoddha Poribar (family of a freedom fighter); and Muktijuddher Shohojogi Poribar (family of a Liberation War associate), reports The Daily Star. As per the ordinance, the status of over 400 elected politicians, including key several key figures who played an active role in the Bangladesh Liberation War have lost their 'Bir Muktijoddha' status. These include Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, M. Mansur Ali, and AHM Qamaruzzaman. The ruling, published by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law under the authority of the President, stated that all these leaders will now be classified as 'associates of the Liberation War' rather than as freedom fighters. In accordance with the ordinance, the former Prime Minister's portrait from the Parliament has been removed, and his face stripped from the national currency, with the authorities in Dhaka issuing new notes featuring natural landscapes, as opposed to any human figure. A Bir Muktijoddha, in accordance with the revised ordinance 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. Additionally, members of the then East Pakistan Rifles who participated in the war are now recognised as freedom fighters, along with nurses and doctors who treated the injured. The decision has been met with a lot of controversy, with several academics, freedom fighters, politicians, soldiers, and general public, protesting the decision. Freedom fighter and Liberation War researcher Afsan Chowdhury denounced the move, calling it an entirely bureaucratic decision. "We have seen this since 1972 -- every time a new government comes to power, they create a new list of freedom fighters. There are personal benefits involved," he told The Daily Star. "People will not accept this. The Liberation War will remain as it always has been -- in the hearts of the general people." Fazlur Rahman, a freedom fighter and an advisor to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, also denounced the decision, saying "They (the government) do not uphold the spirit of the Liberation War ... It does not matter to me what types of ordinances they issue. The Liberation War will forever remain in its rightful place." UNI ANV GNK
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First Post
7 days ago
- General
- First Post
Bangladesh: Yunus govt's Mujibur crackdown continues, revokes his ‘freedom fighter' status
Rahman, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's father, who is known as 'Bangabandhu', will no longer be identified as a freedom fighter in Bangladesh, despite his efforts in the creation and founding of the country read more In October 1961, Mujibur Rahman and his family shifted to the house at Dhanmondi 32. It served as his house until the day he died -- in 1975. File image/AFP The interim government in Bangladesh has revoked the 'Bir Muktijoddha' (freedom fighter) status of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus moves to strip the country of Awami League's legacy. Rahman, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's father, who is known as 'Bangabandhu', will no longer be identified as a freedom fighter in Bangladesh, despite his efforts in the creation and founding of the country. Several other key leaders who played a role in the Bangladesh Liberation War have lost their 'Bir Muktijoddha' status. These include Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, M. Mansur Ali, and AHM Qamaruzzaman. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Who is a 'Bir Muktijoddha'? A Bir Muktijoddha is recognised as an individual who, between March 26 and December 16, 1971, either underwent training within villages across Bangladesh or crossed into India to join training camps, to fight in the Liberation War. These individuals actively participated in the struggle against the occupying Pakistani forces to secure Bangladesh's independence. Recognised freedom fighters must be civilians who met the minimum age requirement set by the government at the time of the war. In addition, members of the armed forces who participated in the conflict are also to be acknowledged as freedom fighters. 400 others lose status Meanwhile, the Yunus-led government has also revoked the freedom fighter status of 400 elected politicians from the 1970 general elections. According to the ordinance, published by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law under the authority of the President, these leaders will now be classified as 'associates of the Liberation War' rather than as freedom fighters. Rahman's picture removed from notes Last weekend, Bangladesh introduced new banknotes without the picture of Rahman. The new design of the currency notes will portray natural landscapes and traditional landmarks. Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arif Hossain Khana, told AFP, 'Under the new series and design, the notes will not feature any human portraits, but will instead showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks.'
News18
7 days ago
- General
- News18
Bangladesh Govt Revokes 'Freedom Fighter' Status For Sheikh Mujibur Rahman And 400 Others
Last Updated: This redefinition of 'Freedom Fighter' resulted in the revocation of Bir Muktijoddha status for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Bangladesh government on Tuesday night issued an ordinance that redefined the term 'freedom fighter" (Bir Muktijoddha). This redefinition has resulted in the revocation of 'Bir Muktijoddha' status for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The official recognition of over 400 political leaders from the Bangladesh Liberation War, including Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, M Mansur Ali, and AHM Qamaruzzaman, as freedom fighters has also been revoked. According to the ordinance, published by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of Bangladesh's Ministry of Law, these leaders will now be classified as 'associates of the Liberation War" (Muktijuddher Shohojogi) rather than freedom fighters. Who Will Be Known As Freedom Fighters? According to the ordinance, a Bir Muktijoddha is defined as 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 Pakistani armed forces to achieve Bangladesh's independence. Women who were subjected to torture by the Pakistani forces and their collaborators (Biranganas), as well as all doctors, nurses, and medical assistants who provided treatment to wounded freedom fighters in field hospitals during the war, will continue to be regarded as freedom fighters. First Published: June 04, 2025, 08:01 IST
