Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today underscored the critical need for the Ministry of Liberation War to impartially present the true history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. He emphasized this point during a meeting held this afternoon at the State Guest House Jamuna.
The meeting was attended by Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah, and other officials from the Ministry of Liberation War.
During the discussion, Adviser Faruk E Azam highlighted concerns regarding the dissemination of a “confusing history” of the Liberation War, which he noted was perpetuated through the construction of various facilities and infrastructures at a cost of crores of taka from the ministry. He pointed out the lack of detailed battlefield accounts and descriptions of freedom fighters within these infrastructures, lamenting that “only exaggerated information has been presented with pictures and materials of a family.”
As an example, Adviser Azam cited a research project titled ‘Implementation of Bangabandhu’s Ideology and the Spirit of the Liberation War,’ for which BDT 23 crore was allocated. He asserted that despite receiving substantial funds from the ministry, “no substantial research was conducted.”
The Liberation War Affairs Adviser further criticized past practices, stating, “Sheikh Hasina had developed the freedom fighters as a privileged class. She had partisanised the property, facilities and money allocated for the freedom fighters. She did Awami League politics by sitting on the infrastructure created for the freedom fighters.”
He also raised concerns about the valuable but unprotected properties under the Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust, emphasizing the need for a decisive approach to their utilization. In response, the Chief Adviser directed the immediate appointment of a consultant and the subsequent formation of a committee to determine how these trust properties can be effectively utilized and leveraged to enhance the trust’s capacity. He stressed the importance of taking effective initiatives regarding the trust’s operations and identifying potential enterprises that could be established on its properties, stating, “This trust must be revived.”
Professor Yunus concluded by advising all concerned parties to dedicate their efforts to presenting the authentic history of the Liberation War through all future projects undertaken by the ministry.
During today’s meeting, the Chief Adviser was also presented with an overview of the significant activities undertaken and implemented by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs during the interim government’s tenure, along with a work plan for the next six months.
