Gazettes of 481 fake freedom fighters cancelled: Minister

The government has begun taking action by identifying fake freedom fighters who were enlisted on political consideration during the previous fascist regime, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan said on Sunday. 

Meanwhile, he said, the gazettes of 481 individuals who were not genuine freedom fighters have already been cancelled following verification.

The minister disclosed this information while responding to a public importance notice raised under Rule 71 by Sylhet-3 MP Md Abdul Malik in the Jatiya Sangsad.

In his statement, lawmaker Abdul Malik alleged that genuine freedom fighters had been neglected over the past 15 years, while many unscrupulous individuals secured inclusion in the list of freedom fighters using false information and enjoyed state benefits.

Minister Ahmed Azam said that between August 2024 and March 2026, the gazettes of 481 non-freedom fighters were cancelled nationwide through investigation and verification.

Noting that valiant freedom fighters are the finest sons of the nation, he said there is no such thing as a “fake freedom fighter”, while some opportunists managed to get enlisted through dishonest means.

The minister said the process of identifying such individuals is ongoing. 

Sub-committees of the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council regularly conduct hearings and verifications based on complaints, and certificates and gazettes will be cancelled once allegations are proven, he added.