Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, a front organisation of BNP, yesterday alleged that the government was preparing a fresh list of freedom fighters.
The organisation termed the government move to prepare a fresh list “illegal” alleging that the government was using the Liberation War as a commodity.
“The government is using the Independence War to achieve its political gains. In 1971 the number of freedom fighters was around 1,00000 but now it has stood at 3,00000,” Hafizuddin Ahmed, vice-chairman of the BNP, said.
Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club, the freedom fighter said none had the right to play with freedom fighters.
It is pathetic that freedom fighters are to take certificates signed by Sheikh Hasina. The commander-in-chief of the Liberation War is now dead but the deputy chief of commander AK Khandaker is still alive. He can issue the certificates, he said. “It is not acceptable when a political party chief issues freedom fighters certificate.”
The former minister alleged that over 150 government senior officials had the privilege of unjustly labelling them as freedom fighters.
“Five secretaries obtained freedom fighters certificates by furnishing fake information courting controversy amongst true freedom fighters but the government has remained silent.”
Alleging that the government is making a mockery of the freedom fighters Hafiz called upon the freedom fighters to wage a movement against it.
When asked about whether the freedom fighters list was correct prepared during the BNP-led four-party alliance government, he said: “There were no fake freedom fighters on that list.”
Mukktijoddha Dal President Ishtiak Aziz was present in the press conference while Joint Secretary General of the party Sadek Khan read out the written statement.
“The government is playing a dreadful game by incorporating government-loyal officials and Awami refugees in the new list of freedom fighters excluding the freedom fighters who fought in the battlefield,”Sadeq Khan said.