Freedom fighter allowance should be higher than that of July warriors: MP Fazlur

BNP lawmaker Fazlur Rahman yesterday (25 June) said the honorarium allowance for freedom fighters to be higher, at least by one taka, than the allowance announced for July Warriors as the Liberation War is the best achievement for the nation.

"For no reason, the honorarium of a freedom fighter can be compared to the honorarium of anyone else. If it is, then we don't need to pay for this work. We will have to pay prices after five years," he said in parliament.

Freedom Fighter Fazlur Rahman, elected from Kishoreganj-4, made this remark, participating in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for 2026-2027 fiscal year in the House.

Noting that the Liberation War is the greatest achievement for the nation, he cited the budget proposals (Clause No- 147 and 148 of the budget speech) relating to freedom fighters and the families of those killed and those injured during the 2024 July Uprising, where the equal allowance for freedom fighters and also for July Warriors were announced in the same part.

Fazlur Rahman noted that the budget proposes to keep the monthly honorarium for a freedom fighter unchanged at Tk20,000, while increasing allowances for the families of titled freedom fighters.

At the same time, he said, the budget proposes to continue monthly allowances of Tk20,000 for families of those martyred during the July Uprising and Tk20,000, Tk15,000 and Tk10,000 respectively for injured persons in categories A, B and C.

He said he respects the July heroes as well, but freedom fighters cannot be compared with anyone else.

"Even if it is by one taka, the allowance for freedom fighters should be increased beyond what has been announced for others. Otherwise, there may be questions in the future for which we will have no answer," he said.

He extended thanks to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury for placing a very nice budget.

He raised the allocation for the education sector, but suggested increasing allocations for the culture sector saying that it plays an important role in preserving the country's heritage and promoting social development.

The civilisation won't be developed without a balance between education and culture. "I don't think the budget for culture has been very complementary to this (education)," he said.

Fazlur Rahman also proposed the creation of a separate ministry for the Haor region to address its unique challenges.

He said labour migration patterns have changed significantly over the years, with workers from Haor areas now increasingly moving to other parts of the country in search of employment.

"We need a separate ministry for the Haor region to protect its interests and ensure its development," he said.

The lawmaker also criticised protests against the construction of an 81-foot Ram Temple in Palashbari, alleging that those opposing the project were using religion for their own interests.

"They want to take us back to the Middle Ages and lead us to barbarism," said Fazlur Rahman.

Referring to anti-temple demonstrations, he said some protesters had been chanting slogans against the Hindu community and demanding that Hindus leave the country.

"We can understand who they are seeing their clothes," said Fazlur Rahman, adding that they don't tolerate Sufibad and want to destroy Mazar.