Who are the newly defined Freedom Fighters?

Who are the freedom fighters of 1971? What is meant by the "spirit of the Liberation War"? 

These topics have once again sparked discussions. Especially after the political changes that occurred following August 5, various groups have been loudly claiming that the Awami League has shaped the narrative of the Liberation War according to its own preferences. 

The "spirit of the Liberation War" has been turned into a tool for implementing the Awami League‍‍`s party agenda, and the names of party loyalists and favorites have been included in the list of freedom fighters.

Thus, 53 years after the Liberation War, these unresolved issues have resurfaced as relevant topics. 

There is now a need to redefine the term "freedom fighter," to redefine the "spirit of the Liberation War," and to create an accurate and undisputed list of heroic freedom fighters of the great Liberation War.

Reforming Jatiyo Muktijoddha Council (JAMUKA)

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs works on such matters at the state level, while the National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA) is responsible for defining the term "freedom fighter" and preparing and updating the list.

Recently, JAMUKA has been restructured with Faruk E Azam, an advisor to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, appointed as chairman. 

They have already held two meetings. The meetings have discussed revising the JAMUKA law, redefining the term "freedom fighter," setting a minimum age to be recognized as a freedom fighter, and whether the use of the term "Bir" (hero) before the names of freedom fighters is justified.

In addition, there has been a decision to review the existing list of freedom fighters. Those who are not actual freedom fighters have been asked to voluntarily remove their names from the list. 

The "Non-Freedom Fighter Identification Complaint Form" has already been made available on the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs‍‍` website.

Who Will Be Considered Freedom Fighters Under the New Definition?

According to the proposed definition, only those who directly participated in the Liberation War will be considered heroic freedom fighters. 

On the other hand, those who contributed in different ways, such as shaping global public opinion, serving as officers or employees of the Mujibnagar Government, providing medical services, or supporting the war in other ways, including artists, will be categorized as "war supporters."

At the same time, the minimum age for being recognized as a freedom fighter may also change.

Who Are Considered Freedom Fighters Under the Existing Definition?

The definition and criteria of "freedom fighter" have been changed 11 times since independence. Similarly, the list of freedom fighters has been revised seven times.

In 1972, the first definition of a freedom fighter was established. According to that definition, those who "served as members of the liberation forces during the Liberation War" were recognized as freedom fighters.

In 2016, during the previous Awami League government, a new definition of freedom fighter was introduced. Based on that, the "Freedom Fighter Welfare Trust Act" was passed in Parliament in 2018.

In 2022, the definition of freedom fighter was also included in the JAMUKA Act. According to that definition: "Those who, in response to the declaration of independence by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, took part in the war to achieve Bangladesh’s independence from March 26 to December 16, 1971, and actively participated in the Liberation War against the occupying Pakistani military and their local collaborators, and those whose ages are within the government-specified limit, will be considered heroic freedom fighters."

In addition to the fighters on the battlefield, the definition also included Bangladeshi citizens who played an active role in shaping global opinion, officers and employees of the Mujibnagar government, diplomats and representatives associated with the Mujibnagar government, all MNAs or MPAs who later became members of the Constituent Assembly, as well as any woman subjected to torture by the occupying and collaborating forces, known as "Birangona" (war heroines). 

Artists and personnel of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Bangladeshi journalists who worked for the cause of the Liberation War both inside and outside the country, players of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team, and doctors, nurses, and assistants who provided medical services to injured freedom fighters during the war were also recognized as freedom fighters.

Differences in the Proposed Definition

In the proposed draft definition, only those who actively participated in the war and the Birangonas will be considered freedom fighters. 

Under the previous definition, individuals who played various roles in supporting the war were also recognized as freedom fighters, but in the new proposed definition, they will be classified under the term "war supporters."

Another notable change is the possible omission of the phrase in the current definition that references fighting in response to the declaration of independence by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Changes in Age Criteria

There is also a proposed change in age requirements. Currently, the minimum age for freedom fighters is 12 years and six months. 

This is based on the provision that freedom fighters who were at least 12 years and six months old by November 30, 1971, are considered freedom fighters. 

In the new definition, the minimum age may be raised to 13 years, and the cutoff date might be changed from November 30 to March 26.

However, this age limit will not apply to women or Birangonas who can indisputably prove their involvement.

A report in Kaler Kantho titled "The Definition of Freedom Fighter is Changing" included remarks from Z I Khan Panna, senior lawyer of the Supreme Court and heroic freedom fighter. 

He stated, "I want to review the law before commenting in detail, but I believe that everyone except the Razakars and anti-independence elements are freedom fighters. Not everyone had weapons, otherwise, 45 million people would have picked up arms. War supporters are also freedom fighters."

Removing "Non-Freedom Fighters"

The process of removing non-freedom fighters from the list of freedom fighters has also started. 

On November 17, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs made the "Non-Freedom Fighter Identification Complaint Form" available on their website.

Faruk E Azam has already announced that if anyone (who is a non-freedom fighter) voluntarily withdraws their name from the list, they will be granted indemnity and general amnesty. 

However, those who do not remove their names voluntarily will be charged with fraud and brought to justice.

The Freedom Fighters List

According to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, in 1986, during the Ershad government, a list of 102,458 freedom fighters was published, known as the "National List." 

In 1988, another list of 69,833 freedom fighters, known as the "Indian List," was published. 

In 1994, during the BNP government, a third list of 86,000 was published. In 1996–2001, the Awami League government published a fourth list of 186,790, known as "Muktibarta (Green)." 

After further verification, another list of 158,452 was created, known as "Muktibarta (Red)."

Sources from the ministry said that in 2001–2006, the BNP-led four-party alliance government formed a committee to compile a new list of freedom fighters, which included 210,581 names. 

After coming to power in 2009, the Awami League government claimed that over 70,000 non-freedom fighters had been added to the list during the alliance government’s rule. 

During the last 15 and a half years of Awami League rule, the number of freedom fighters has fluctuated. In March 2021, an incomplete list of 147,537 heroic freedom fighters was published. 

Despite repeated promises, a complete list has not been released. The previous Minister of Liberation War Affairs, A K M Mozammel Haque, told Prothom Alo last March that the final list would not exceed 190,000 names.

In a report by Prothom Alo, Liberation War researcher Afsan Chowdhury said that the freedom fighter list and definition have been controversial at various times, and the public has lost trust in the list. 

He said, "The politics of changing the list and definition of freedom fighters will continue in this country. Whichever government comes to power will make these changes. This flow of changes will never end."

He also added that the list will be made anew by any incoming government, as adding names to the list provides benefits. 

"There are two aspects of the Liberation War: one is the state’s, and the other is society’s. The state argues over the Liberation War, but the narrative of the war within society remains unchanged. It is tied to life, not to power."

What Does the "Spirit of the Liberation War" Mean?

The proposed draft also defines the "Spirit of the Liberation War." 

It states: "The spirit of the Liberation War refers to the values of equality, human dignity, and social justice for the people of Bangladesh, as outlined in the Declaration of Independence on April 10, 1971."

According to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, the number of heroic freedom fighters in the country is currently 197,800. Of them, 196,454 receive monthly allowances.