90,000 Fake Freedom Fighters Siphoning Off BDT 2,400 Crore Annually

02 June, 2025 : The controversy over the number of freedom fighters in Bangladesh continues to persist. In 1994, the official count of freedom fighters was 86,000, which has surged to 208,000 by 2024. According to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, approximately 90,000 of these are fake freedom fighters.

These individuals are reportedly siphoning off around BDT 2,400 crore annually in allowances meant for genuine freedom fighters.

The National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA) reports that 208,050 individuals currently receive freedom fighter allowances. Each freedom fighter receives a monthly allowance of BDT 20,000, plus additional payments of BDT 10,000 for each Eid, BDT 5,000 on March 26, and BDT 2,000 during Boishakh, totaling a minimum of BDT 267,000 per year. Based on this, the 90,000 fake freedom fighters are draining approximately BDT 2,400 crore from government funds annually. War-wounded and decorated freedom fighters receive even higher amounts.

To address this issue, JAMUKA has initiated a verification process, starting with a hearing in Cumilla on June 2, 2025. The first phase involves scrutinizing allegations against 31 individuals at the Cumilla Circuit House. Shahina Khatun, Director General of JAMUKA, stated that verifying the authenticity of freedom fighters requires field-level investigations, as it cannot be done from Dhaka. The Cumilla hearings aim to meticulously examine evidence and testimonies to uncover the truth.

Following the July uprising and the formation of an interim government, Faruk-E-Azam Bir Protik, Adviser to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, ordered a thorough verification of freedom fighter certificates and lists within a week of taking charge. This led to thousands of complaints against fake freedom fighters being submitted from districts and upazilas to the ministry and JAMUKA. The ministry has instructed district administrators to investigate these allegations.

According to JAMUKA, 2,111 freedom fighter certificates have been canceled so far due to the recipients being under the minimum age of 12 years and 6 months during the Liberation War. Over the past 15 years, 3,926 gazettes have been revoked. Additionally, 89,235 individuals have been appointed to government jobs under the freedom fighter কুওতা

AI/MR