Overview

• On June 4, the interim administration issued an ordinance amending the National Freedom Fighters Council Act to redefine who qualifies as a freedom fighter and introduce 'associates of the Liberation War'.
• The revision removes the term 'Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman' from the law and updates the definition of the 1971 Liberation War to omit his call for independence.
• Under the new framework, individuals who directly fought or trained for combat remain freedom fighters, while government officials, diplomats, cultural contributors, journalists and others are now classified as 'associates'.
• Government advisers clarified that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and core Mujibnagar leaders will keep their freedom fighter recognition and continue to receive the same honors and benefits.
• Observers warn the changes could alter Bangladesh’s collective memory of its independence by reshaping the legacy of Awami League founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.