Take legal action against fake freedom fighter allowance recipients: Adviser Azam
The current list of freedom fighters is under review, and non-freedom fighters will be removed, he says
Legal action will be taken against those fraudulently claiming allowances and benefits as freedom fighters, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam has said.
In an interview with UNB, Farooq said the current list of freedom fighters is under review, and non-freedom fighters will be removed.
"There are many cases, and we need to contest them in court to move forward," he said, adding this is part of a broader strategy to reassess and redefine who qualifies as a freedom fighter.
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"Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (Jamuka) has been formed, and meetings have taken place, suggesting that the definition of a freedom fighter may change. Genuine freedom fighters should be acknowledged, and those who fought in the field, as well as indirect contributors, should be honoured," the adviser said.
He said that he could not yet specify how many people had been gazetted as freedom fighters and added that the verification of who the true freedom fighters were should happen.
Farooq added that this list should have been finalised in 1972, right after the war, when information was more accessible. "It should have been finalised in 1972, when everyone had the information, making it easier to compile," he said. This delay has led to the current challenges and the need for thorough verification.
"Freedom fighters are considered honourable, and we cannot accept anything imposed. If there was objectivity, every martyr would have a story. We do not hear many stories of such martyrs," the Liberation War Affairs Adviser said.
"When I first joined, I asked where the list was supposed to be. They said there was no list," he said.
"If we find specific evidence, we will take action, as deceiving the state is punishable. This might make many realise their wrongdoing," he added.
"We will proceed with the review and act on cases with court outcomes," the adviser also said.
Notices will be sent to those who falsely claimed freedom fighter status. "If they cannot provide proper evidence, they will be removed from the list, and those who have received benefits for so long will be punished," he added.
"There is no plan to reduce the benefits and allowances of freedom fighters," he assured.
The ministry said that 207,664 individuals currently receive allowances as freedom fighters, including war heroes, and families of martyred heroes.
