Amid reports that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman would no longer be considered a freedom fighter, the Muhammad Yunus government has refuted the claims as "completely baseless, false and confusing".
The confusion arose after an ordinance issued by the interim government redefined the term, "Bir Muktijoddha".
Earlier reports claimed that Mujibur Rahman, M Mansur Ali, Tajuddin Ahmad, Syed Nazrul Islam, AHM Qamaruzzaman and 400 other political leaders from the Liberation War era have lost their Bir Muktijoddha status.
However, Farooq-e Azam, adviser to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, all members of the Mujibnagar Government are still under freedom fighter classification. However, the officials and employess of that government will now be categorised as "associates of the Liberation War" or Muktijuddher Shohojogi, as per the ordinance. This does not mean that there would be any reduction in honour for these personalities.
Who is a Bir Muktijoddha?
The latest ordinance defines a Bir Muktijoddha as someone who fought for Bangladesh from March 26 to December 16, 1971. These include those who prepared for war and received training in Bangladesh or in India before actively participating in the Liberation War for independence from Pakistan. Members of the armed forces are also defined as freedom fighters.
The ordinance issued by the Bangladesh law ministry's legislative and parliamentary affairs department will continue to recognise women tortured by Pakistani forces as freedom fighters. Besides doctors, nurses and medical assistants who treated the freedom fighters will also be considered as Bir Muktijoddha.
This comes days after Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal formally charged ouster PM Sheikh Hasina with crimes against humanity charges, including mass murder. The interim government has also banned her party Awami League from contesting in upcoming elections. Yunus said the elections would be held at the earliest by December 2025 or the latest by June 2026.
