New generation needs inspiration from Liberation War: CA

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today stressed upholding the Liberation War spirit, saying that the new generation needs inspiration from the country’s Liberation War. “None of us is permanent. But the inspiration of the Liberation War must endure for future generations so that they understand where the country came from and how the struggle for independence was carried out,” he said. Noting that this is not just one war, there will be more wars ahead, the Chief Adviser said, “The spirit of our Liberation War should remain a source of inspiration from generation to generation”.

Prof Yunus made the remarks at a meeting with leaders and members of the Jatio Muktijoddha Council (Jamuka), Bangladesh Freedom Fighter Welfare Trust (BFFWT) and Bangladesh Muktijoddha Shongshod (BMS) at the State Guest House Jamuna here this evening. Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik, was present at the meeting, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing tonight. During the meeting, the Chief Adviser said that immediately after assuming office, the interim government’s priority was to identify genuine freedom fighters and take initiatives to detect fake ones.

He noted that the people of Bangladesh hold freedom fighters in the highest respect, but in the past, some had tried to exploit that respect for personal gain, saying, “We must take measures to ensure that this does not happen again in the future”.  “When politicians saw an opportunity in this, they used it. These institutions were no longer institutions; they became puppets. Our attempt was to turn them from puppets into institutions again. Our effort was to restore them as institutions from the playthings,” Prof Yunus said.

Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to meet the freedom fighters, he said, “Being able to write history, introducing history to the new generation, is a sacred task. It is a great honor to be able to do this”. The Chief Adviser said that it would not be possible to find freedom fighters in the future, but their memories must be preserved through planned and thoughtful measures so that the Liberation War remains immortal in the national consciousness. Speaking on the occasion, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam said that the previous government had created discrimination among the people and deprived the genuine freedom fighters by using the rhetoric of the Liberation War, leaving many of the freedom fighters hurt and disillusioned.

“Since we took charge, we have been trying to clean up the system together. We have been working to restore the lost image of the freedom fighters,” he added. Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad (BMS) Central Command Council Convener Nayeem Jahangir and Freedom fighter Captain (Retd) Nurul Huda spoke at the meeting, among others. The freedom fighters thanked Prof Yunus for successfully discharging his responsibilities as the head of the interim government, implementing reforms and arranging a referendum.

They said that if the July Charter is implemented and if “Yes” wins in the referendum, fascism will not be able to return any more and the government will remain accountable to the people. They said that the July Charter will play a vital role in safeguarding Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and for moving the country forward. The freedom fighters also said that if “No” wins in the referendum, it would be unfortunate for the country. Expressing gratitude to the freedom fighters, Prof Yunus said, “We are now at the threshold of elections. We have got an opportunity for constitutional reform through the mass uprising”.

Noting that all political parties worked through the consensus commission and that holding a referendum to implement reforms is extremely important, he said, “Without reform and change, we would remain stuck in the same place. We could not come out of this”. Bangladesh Muktijoddha Soangsad (BMS) Central Command Council Convener Nayeem Jahangir expressed gratitude to the Chief Adviser for building an international protective circle against aggression and for his role in safeguarding independence and sovereignty and strengthening a previously fragile economy.

"Our goal of war was to protect the country's independence and sovereignty, and to achieve economic freedom. But now the people are on one side, the freedom fighters on one side, and freedom on the other. The freedom fighters have been isolated due to ill-politics regarding the Liberation War,” he said. The freedom fighters expressed regret that over the past 16 years their honor had been eroded to the point where they hesitated to identify themselves, often being asked whether they were “genuine or fake”.

Jamuka Member Captain (Retd) Nurul Huda said the Chief Adviser had restored freedom of speech that the country had not enjoyed in the last 57 years. He said everyone can now speak freely, choose their own leaders - suitable persons. Noting that those who have come to power so far have twisted the Liberation War, Huda said, “After exchanging views, we recommended changing the definition. You have implemented that recommendation. I don't know what will happen in the future. But now your government has taken the initiative to remove the scope of misunderstanding about the freedom fighters; we are grateful for that”.

He also said, “The same age as we fought in the Liberation War, the boys of the same age carried out the July mass uprising in 2024. Like us, these youths have also fought against discrimination, challenged the old narrative system”. “They are our successors. Many want to make the 1971 and 2024 confront. They must be resisted,” Huda added. Leaders of the three organizations briefed the Chief Adviser on their activities and future plans, saying their prime objective is to transmit the glorious history of the Liberation War to the younger generation.

There was an armed struggle in 1971, but it was also a people's war, they said, adding that the work of preserving and building memorials to the Liberation War has begun across the country. The gazettes of fake freedom fighters have been cancelled, they said, adding, the assets of the Welfare Trust are being checked in every turn, everything is being noted, complications are being identified, and work is underway on how to best utilize them.

The leaders also said that they will try to leave a chart and action plan for those who come later. Prof Yunus urged the freedom fighters to remain strong so that no one can create chaos as like in the past. He said organisational assets must be used to preserve the memory of the Liberation War and for the lasting welfare of the country, and that these institutions must be strengthened both financially and structurally.

The Chief Adviser stressed that while the government will do its part, citizens must also continue their responsibilities, saying, “We will no longer be in the government after a few days. It was never my place too. I have been involved incidentally. But I will continue to fulfill my duties as a citizen”. Among the Jatio Muktijoddha Council (Jamuka) members, Major General (Retd) Azizur Rahman, Bir Uttam, Major (Retd) Syed Munibur Rahman, Major (Retd) Qayum Khan, Sadeq Ahmed Khan, Habibul Alam, Bir Protik and Major (Retd) Fazlur Rahman, Bir Protik were present at the meeting. Bangladesh Freedom Fighter Welfare Trust (BFFWT) Executive Committee members Major General (Retd) Jamil D Ahsan, Bir Pratik, Major (Retd) Syed Mizanur Rahman, Major (Retd) AKM Hafizur Rahman and Manawarul Islam, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad (BMS) Central Command Council members Syed Abul Bashar, Sirajul Haque, Md Mansur Ali Sarkar, Anil Baran Roy, Nurul Islam, Abdullah Hill Safi, Jahangir Kabir and Engineer Zakaria Ahmed were also present in the meeting.