Razakar list: A cruel way to embarrass the freedom fighters

The freedom fighters and their families, along with the whole nation, celebrate the Victory Day in commemoration of a war that gave birth to an independent nation in 1971. As an acknowledgement of the freedom fighters' sacrifice, the nation keeps observing the day every year with the fitting display of passion for celebration and through remembrance.

But when the nation celebrated her 49th Victory Day on Monday, many of the freedom fighters and the families of the martyred observed the day in utter frustration, dispirited by the recent turn of event. They have been identified as collaborators to the enemies in their own land, after 49 years of a war since they sacrificed their lives for the nation. This happened as a Razakar list was published on December 15 by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. First ever published list of collaborators in the history of Bangladesh, the Razakar list simply fell short of all expectation.  

In it, Ghulam Arieff Tipoo is included as a collaborator of the Pakistanis, despite the well-established fact that he was a language movement activist in 1952, and joined the war of independence in 1971.

Inclusion of such a recognised freedom fighter, largely eminent for his role as the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, in the Razakars' list, came as a shock.

But Tipoo is not the sole example of freedom fighters' inclusion in the newly released Razakar list.

Many other names of prominent freedom fighters have surfaced in what many termed as "a controversial list" that created a serious debate over its credibility.

As many eminent political and cultural activists decries the list of the Razakars, The Business Standard (TBS) approached Shahriar Kabir of the Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee for his opinion about the controversy regarding the Razakars' list.
Shahriar Kabir said, "We have learnt about the controversy. We have directed our committee members at the district level to investigate it. They will complete their investigation by tomorrow. We will brief the media about our findings in detail soon."

"We believe the procedure followed in developing the list was flawed. We cannot expect good result – an accurate list – by following a flawed procedure. The error made is a concerning issue. However, it requires investigation to determine if this was a 'mistake' or if this was intentional," Shahriar Kabir said, expressing discontentment over the list.

TBS also approached Syed Abul Maksud, a distinguished scholar and columnist, for his opinion.

"Like any sane person, I believe this list is an example of an absolute insensible act," said Abul Maksud.

Syed Abul Maksud was not the only person enraged over the recently released list. People on social media have been condemning the list and questioning its merit ever since the errors came to light.

Freedom fighter Sudhir Kumar Chakrabarty of Barishal was martyred in 1971. His son, Tapan Kumar Chakraborty – also a freedom fighter recognised for his valour at Sector 5, along with his mother Usha Rani Chakraborty are included in the Razakar list.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard about it over a phone call," a dismayed and shocked Tapan Kumar Chakraborty said in a press conference on Tuesday in Barishal.

In the face of such a shocking revelation, Tapan's daughter Manisha Chakraborty, alleged that this inclusion of her family members in the Razakar list is politically motivated. Chakraborty, who stated the list as "planned and politically motivated," is a Barishal unit leader of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal who participated in the election of Barisal City Corporation as a mayoral candidate.

When TBS approached Mufidul Hoque, a researcher and a cultural personality, currently serving as a trustee of Liberation War Museum, did not hide his anxiety over the controversy regarding the released list.

"I do not find any legitimate reason for such a controversy. It is of paramount importance to investigate how this occurred."

Mofidul Hoque suggested that the ministry should "make public the procedure they followed to collect the data and how they verified them."

As people are increasingly dissatisfied over the Razakar list, AKM Mozammel Haque, minister for liberation war affairs, said, "We have only published a list that the Pakistanis prepared. We neither have the knowledge of what names are included in it, nor which names are missing."

Shahriar Kabir of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, however, disagreed with the minister's claim. He differed on whether the list released was prepared by the Pakistanis. He said he will further elaborate on this in his press briefing on next Thursday.

While Mozammel Haque was attempting to avoid taking any responsibility regarding the list, the home minister said that the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs did not make the corrections made by the home ministry.

Mozammel Haque, however, has later apologised for the inclusion of the freedom fighters in the Razakar list.

But the damage to their reputation has already been done. They and their family members are hugely disappointed over the matter and they are also emotionally traumatised.

"It is a humiliation and I will take measures in this regard," Ghulam Arieff Tipoo expressed his rage to the media after his name surfaced on the list.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs is expected to publish further lists of Razakars in the future. Given that the first batch of the list contains obvious errors, TBS asked Mufidul Hoque what the ministry could do to ensure the credibility of the list next.

He said that, "For the sake of the credibility of the overall list, there must have to be extensive investigations into the allegations against the already released list alongside holding the concerned people responsible."

"The ministry has to investigate what led to such controversy and learn from its mistakes," Mufidul added.

Ghulam Arieff Tipoo, Usha Rani Chakraborty, and Tapan Kumar Chakraborty, however, are not the only exceptions. The media has been naming many other freedom fighters who have been shamed by such inconsiderate inclusion in the list of collaborators.