The interim government has termed recent media reports on the repeal of the recognition of key leaders of the liberation wartime Mujibnagar Government, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujubur Rahman, completely false, baseless and misleading.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, quoting Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruq-e-Azam, said the news on revoking the status of leaders, including President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam, Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad, and ministers M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman, are totally false.
According to the post, the leaders of the Mujibnagar Government are, and have always been, recognised as freedom fighters.
“Those who led and participated in the armed struggle during the Liberation War are freedom fighters. Members of the Mujibnagar Government were at the core of this leadership,” Azam was quoted as saying.
However, he clarified that the government officials and employees who worked under the Mujibnagar administration are classified as co-freedom fighters (Sahajogi Muktijoddha), along with diplomats and members of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (Independent Bengal Radio Centre).
“Being a co-freedom fighter does not mean their dignity or contribution has been diminished,” Azam was quoted as saying.
Azam further explained that the definition of a freedom fighter, as outlined in the 1972 guidelines, has been implemented.
“The definitions were amended in 2018 and 2022 to better reflect the contributions of both combatants and collaborators. However, the honor, dignity, and state benefits for both categories remain equal,” he affirmed.
The ministry urges the public and media to refrain from spreading misinformation and to rely on verified information from official sources, reads the statement.
