BAHARAM KHAN

The legal expert committee of the Cabinet Division has opposed the Liberation War affairs ministry’s proposal to redefine the term “freedom fighter,” saying legal and hierarchical complications may arise from it.

The ministry, on the other hand, seems to be firm on its stance as it recently resubmitted the proposal to the Cabinet Division without changing the segment that deals with the definition of freedom fighter. Now it’s up to the Advisory Council to make the final call.

In its draft amendment to Jatiya Muktijoddha Council Act, 2022, the ministry proposed separate definitions of “freedom fighter” and “associates of the Liberation War ”.

Upon reviewing the draft, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Legal Draft Review and Opinion” under the Cabinet Division said that such a change could lead to legal and hierarchical complications. It sent the draft back to the ministry in March for further review.

The ministry argues that the redefinition is justified as there will be no changes to the existing benefits enjoyed by freedom fighters.

“We hope the Advisory Council will resolve the issue. That is why we have resubmitted the draft to the Cabinet Division without any changes to the segment,” a joint secretary at the ministry told The Daily Star on condition of anonymity.

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