Politics Hampered Post-Independence Freedom Fighters' List, Says PM Tarique Rahman

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday stated that those responsible for compiling the list of genuine martyrs and freedom fighters after independence had politicized the process instead of doing it impartially.

Responding to a supplementary question from Ruhul Amin Dulal, Member of Parliament for Pirojpur-3, during a parliamentary session, the Prime Minister announced that the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has formed a committee of experts to formulate a flawless and universally acceptable list of martyrs and genuine freedom fighters, free from political bias.

Reiterating his party’s electoral pledge to compile a comprehensive list of the martyrs and victims of the 1971 genocide, the Prime Minister said the ministry has already initiated expert consultations with researchers and stakeholders to draft a realistic action plan. He emphasized that this initiative aims to ensure proper state recognition and honor for the supreme sacrifices made during the Liberation War.

Answering another query from Kurigram-1 MP Anwarul Islam regarding the creation of a non-partisan list of freedom fighters, the Prime Minister noted that the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was founded by the proclaimer of independence and valiant freedom fighter, late President Ziaur Rahman. Consequently, the party holds a sacred responsibility toward the legacy of the Liberation War. He pointed out that because the initial list was prepared with political motives rather than neutrality, numerous inconsistencies and complexities arose over the subsequent decades, which the current government is actively working to resolve.

The parliamentary sitting commenced at 3:00 PM with Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal in the chair. The first thirty minutes of the session were dedicated to the Prime Minister’s question-and-answer session. Out of seven starred questions tabled for him, the Prime Minister was able to answer three along with their supplementary questions within the allotted time.