Kishoreganj-4 BNP MP and freedom fighter Fazlur Rahman on Thursday demanded that the allowance for freedom fighters be set at least one taka higher than that provided to any other group, including July Uprising activists and the families of those martyred in the movement.
Taking part in the discussion on the proposed national budget for 2026-27, he said he was a strong supporter of the July Uprising.
He noted that the monthly allowance for freedom fighters remained unchanged at Tk 20,000, adding that families of those martyred in the July Uprising receive Tk 20,000 a month, while injured participants receive monthly allowances of Tk 20,000, Tk 15,000 or Tk 10,000.
“Those who believe the Liberation War was the defining event in the country’s history and its greatest achievement must understand that the honorarium for freedom fighters should not, under any circumstances, be equated with that of any other group. If such comparisons are made, the country will eventually pay a price -- if not now, then perhaps five years from now,” he said.
“Therefore, I urge [the government] to increase the honorarium for freedom fighters, even if only by one taka,” he added.
He praised the government’s allocation for education, the social safety net, and the health sector.
“The education budget is significantly larger, thank you. However, I do not believe the allocation for the cultural sector is sufficient. Let me be clear: one cannot be neglected while the other flourishes. Unless education and culture develop together, civilisation cannot progress,” he said.
Without naming anyone, Fazlur said, “Many people seem uncomfortable with the word ‘culture’. But what kind of culture do they dislike? They dislike the village plays we staged. They dislike the tradition of farmers going to watch jatra performances after planting paddy in winter.”
“They even object to football. Some now say those who watch football are ‘kafirs’ and that matches involving Argentina or Brazil should not be watched. They want to drag us back into medieval barbarism. Are we prepared to accept that?” he asked. “They do not accept Sufism and attack shrines. They want to burn them with fire. I respect maulanas and moulvis, but what wrong have the pirs done? Why was someone hacked to death in Kushtia?” he asked.
“The number of such people has grown, as has their arrogance. They reject civilisation and culture and refuse to listen to differing views. They seek only to exploit religion for personal gain. They are profiteers in the name of religion,” he added.
Fazlur also demanded a separate ministry for the country’s haor areas.
