They did not fight on battlefields during the Liberation War in 1971, but they fought the war by taking part in cultural activities like music and film.
There had been no official recognition for their contributions until the liberation war affairs ministry yesterday issued a gazette notification, recognising 108 more people as freedom fighters.
However, the honour came too late for many veterans as they could not see for themselves they have been honoured.
Take for example Zahir Raihan. He made several films and documentaries during the Liberation War and went missing around a month after Bangladesh’s victory in the war.
Late Samar Das, renowned music director and composer, had composed many songs during the nine-month war to inspire freedom fighters to fight for the country. Among the famous songs composed by him are “Purba Digantey Surjya Uthechey” and “Nongar Tolo Tolo, Samay Je Holo Holo.” The songs were in the lips of freedom fighters in those days.
Although he was honoured with Ekushey Padak and Independence Award, two most prestigious awards in the country, he was not recognised as a freedom fighter. His recognition comes 15 years after his death.
Like Zahir Raihan and Samar Dar, 37 other personalities have been recognised as freedom fighters posthumously.
Among the 108 newly recognised freedom fighters are late ANM Gaziul Haque, late Shawkat Osman, Syed Hasan Imam, Nirmolendu Gun, Kamal Lohani, Asad Chowdhury, Lucky Akhand, Aly Zaker, Abu Toab Khan, Sujeyo Shyam, late Bipul Bhattacharjee, Laila Hasan, Rathindranath Roy, Mahadev Saha, Sheikh Sadi Khan, Kaderi Kibria, Shaheen Samad, Kazi Rozi and Bulbul Mahalanabish.
The government on November 8 finalised the definition of “freedom fighter”. According to the definition, members of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and journalists who had been at home and abroad during the war would be recognised as freedom fighters.
Earlier, 87 participants of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra were recognised as freedom fighters.
At present, freedom fighters, their children and grandchildren enjoy a 30 percent quota in government jobs. Besides, special quotas are reserved for admission of freedom fighters’ children and grandchildren to public schools, colleges and universities.
Source: The Daily Star
