Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Monday (July 7) underscored the need to present the true and impartial history of the 1971 Liberation War through the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, criticising past initiatives that, he said, failed to accurately portray the nation’s struggle for independence.

He made the remarks while presiding over a meeting held at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-E-Azam, Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah, and senior officials of the ministry were present at the meeting.

Addressing the session, Adviser Farooq-E-Azam expressed concern that a distorted version of the Liberation War’s history had been presented through various facilities and infrastructures constructed at significant public expense.

Crores of taka have been spent on these infrastructures, yet there is no detailed depiction of actual battlefields or authentic accounts of freedom fighters. Instead, the focus has been on exaggerated displays featuring selective family materials and photographs, he said.

Citing an example, the adviser noted that Tk 23 crore had been allocated for a research project titled ‘Implementation of Bangabandhu’s Ideology and the Spirit of the Liberation War’. Despite the substantial funding, he claimed, no meaningful research was produced.

Farooq further alleged that the previous government had turned freedom fighters into a privileged class, using facilities, funds, and properties meant for them to serve partisan interests. “Sheikh Hasina politicised the freedom fighters’ welfare infrastructure to conduct Awami League politics, he said.

The adviser also highlighted the lack of protection for valuable properties under the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust and urged immediate steps to determine their proper use.

Responding to these concerns, Chief Adviser Yunus directed the ministry to immediately appoint a consultant and form a committee to develop a plan for the proper management and utilisation of the trust’s properties.

Effective initiatives must be taken to revive the trust and determine what enterprises can be developed on these assets to strengthen its capacity, Yunus said, adding that the trust must be restored to its intended role.

He also urged officials to ensure that all future projects undertaken by the ministry truthfully reflect the real history of the Liberation War and honour the sacrifices of all freedom fighters.

During the meeting, ministry officials presented the chief adviser with an overview of key activities implemented under the interim government and outlined a detailed work plan for the next six months.

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