Farooki Flags ‘Fake News’ on Revocation of Liberation War Hero Status
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has refuted claims circulating in the media and online that Liberation War leaders such as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Tajuddin Ahmad have had their freedom fighter status revoked.
On Wednesday, June 4, Farooki addressed the matter in a Facebook post, stating: “Dear brothers and sisters, the claim that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Tajuddin Ahmad, and other Liberation War leaders have had their freedom fighter certificates revoked is fake news.”
He further added, “The new ordinance clearly recognizes all members of the Mujibnagar government as freedom fighters. To prove that no member of the Mujibnagar government has had their certificate revoked, I have attached a screenshot of the ordinance in the comments.”
The clarification comes after several media outlets on Tuesday night reported that the freedom fighter status of key figures who led Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War — including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, M. Mansur Ali, A.H.M. Qamaruzzaman, and over 400 elected representatives from the 1970 elections — had been revoked under a recent presidential ordinance.
According to the reports, the ordinance, issued by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law by order of the President, reclassified these individuals as “associates of the Liberation War,” rather than officially recognized freedom fighters.
Farooki's statement seeks to dispel confusion and reassure the public about the continued recognition of the Liberation War leadership’s official status.
