'History can't be rewritten': Advisor Faruk says Mujibnagar govt leaders were freedom fighters

Reports indicating that the interim government had revoked the “freedom fighter” status of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the four national leaders, and other members of the administration that coordinated the 1971 war effort, popularly known as Mujibnagar government, are wide of the mark, according to Liberation War Affairs Advisor Faruk E Azam.

On Wednesday, he addressed the debate sparked by the government's decision to redefine the eligibility criteria for freedom fighters through an ordinance.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said: “This [the reports] is not accurate. It [the ordinance] clearly states Provisional Government of Bangladesh (Mujibnagar government). It mentions the Mujibnagar government -- Tajuddin Ahmad, Mansur Ali, AHM Qamaruzzaman, and Khandaker Mushtaq Ahmed were part of it and all of them were freedom fighters.”

The interim government issued an ordinance on Tuesday amending the National Freedom Fighters’ Council Act, enacted three years ago. The ordinance introduces a revised definition of "freedom fighter" and designates some previously recognised individuals as “collaborators of the Liberation War”.

This has led several media outlets to report that Bangabandhu, the four national leaders, and members of the national assembly (MNAs) and provincial assembly (MPAs) affiliated with the Mujibnagar government would no longer be considered freedom fighters.

Asked about the matter on Wednesday, the advisor said: “The war was led by this [Mujibnagar] government. It was the officially recognised government of Bangladesh at the time and nothing outside of this has been recognised.”

WHO IS A FREEDOM FIGHTER?

Under the ordinance, the revised definition of “Bir Muktijoddha” or gallant freedom fighter includes:

-- Those who undertook training and prepared for war in rural areas of Bangladesh between Mar 26 and Dec 16, 1971, and those who crossed into India for training in designated camps during that period.

-- All civilians (within the age criteria defined by the government at the time) who actively fought for Bangladesh's independence against the occupying Pakistani forces and their local collaborators Razakar, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami, Nezam-e-Islam, and Peace Committee members.

-- Members of the Armed Forces, East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), police, Mukti Bahini, forces of the government-in-exile (Mujibnagar government) and other units recognised by that government, including Naval Commandos, Kilo Force, and Ansar.

-- All women who were tortured by the occupation forces and their collaborators during the war (Birangonas).

-- All doctors, nurses, and medical assistants who served in field hospitals and treated injured freedom fighters during the war.

Faruk said that since the Mujibnagar government is expressly included in the ordinance, its leaders are also freedom fighters.

However, the ordinance also defines a new category called “associates of the Liberation War”, for those who did not fight directly but contributed in other ways.

This includes those who contributed in an organising, diplomatic, or morale-building role in strengthening war efforts and inspiring freedom fighters. Citizens who served as officers, employees, envoys, doctors, nurses, or assistants under the Mujibnagar government, as well as MNAs or MPAs associated with the war-time administration who later became members of the Constituent Assembly, also fall under this category.

The category further extends to artists and technical staff of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Bangladeshi journalists who supported the cause both at home and abroad, and players of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team.

When asked whether the new definition implies that only those who fought directly in battle are to be considered freedom fighters, the advisor said: “That’s not accurate. The battlefields were managed by them. You could say the same about the sector commanders -- did they not fight? They planned the operations and decided who would go to battle.

“In the same way, the Mujibnagar government ran the entire war, securing rations, and arranging weapons. This is a historical truth. How can that history be changed?”

Dismissed reports on the matter as “misleading”, he added: “It appears to me that such claims are untrue. It’s clearly stated in the ordinance.”

When a journalist asked why the Mujibnagar government was also listed under collaborators category, Faruk said: “That refers to employees of the Mujibnagar government. Salaried personnel under that government were designated as collaborators, not the government itself. As for MNAs and MPAs, those who physically took up arms are still considered freedom fighters.”

Faruk, himself a decorated freedom fighter, said the status of collaborator is no less dignifying than that of freedom fighter.

“It has been made clear that the term collaborator does not diminish anyone’s dignity. Their contributions are being duly honoured. Everyone’s role is being recognised with respect.

“There is also no distinction in terms of state benefits or allowances. Everyone is treated equally.”

Explaining why collaborators were categorised separately, he said: “How can someone who did not fight be a freedom fighter? Some went to India and were involved in various tasks. Some worked at the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, others in diplomatic roles. They helped, but they did not fight on the frontlines.”

He added that the change was made at the request of freedom fighters themselves and was not an invention of the government.

“This definition existed in 1972. It was altered in 2018 and 2022. Now we’ve reverted to the 1972 version to maintain historical accuracy. People know who fought. Our goal is to ensure the Liberation War is not made controversial.”