The compilation of freedom fighters’ list is again facing political influence, bureaucratic tangle and systematic corruption. News media reported that the last minute scrutiny of the freedom fighters at Jatiya Muktijoddha Council to weed out the fake freedom fighters from the list has created an opportunity for some unscrupulous men to make money by testifying for and against the persons who are primarily listed. It is really deplorable that a section of people in exchange of money verify others whether he is real or fake freedom fighters! We have no word to condemn the situation.
Among the opportunists, some were threatening to lodge complaints against the persons whose ‘freedom fighter’ status needed to be reconfirmed through a review petition at the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council, or JMC, while others were taking money for testifying in favour of those who fear of being proven fake freedom fighters at JMC hearing. There were also complaints against many individuals, Pakistani collaborators and bureaucrats to be precise, who could manage to get freedom fighter’s certificates between 2002 and 2014, bypassing JMC procedure.
The opportunists lodged complaints with the JMC against some others saying they were fake thus the accused persons now have to purchase the favour for being enlisted. Since the screening of the freedom fighters began in 2014, some unscrupulous persons tried to capitalise on it. They asked money from even real freedom fighters who is financially poor or whose claim is comparatively weak. And later they filed complaints against those who refused to give money. The trend is still going on.
The authorities have so far listed 2,30,458 freedom fighters in the country of whom over 1,87,000 are currently receiving a monthly allowance of Tk 10,000 and three festival bonuses. It attracts many cheaters to manage freedom fighter certificates to avail such financial and other social facilities. In fact, the procedure is so corrupted and politicised that it pushes the genuine freedom fighters, the all-time hero, to a questionable situation. This ill trend must be stopped.
