THE allegation that most of the flats in the Bijay Rakeen City project, specifically reserved for impoverished freedom fighters, are occupied by influential interlopers is a serious charge that warrants an expeditious investigation. The Muktijoddha O Muktijoddha Paribar Kalyan Samiti, a welfare association for freedom fighters and their families, at a press conference on January 14 alleged that 766 out of the 870 flats meant for impoverished freedom fighters were occupied by non-freedom fighters. This is not merely an allegation of financial irregularity or corruption; it is a profound moral failing. In 1994, the then government allocated 16.2 acres of land at Block D in the Mirpur 14 area to provide housing for marginalised freedom fighters. The previous association administration, as the new administrator alleges, transformed this social welfare initiative into a commercial venture by presiding over a 57–43 per cent share-based agreement with a private developer. As a result, only 870 flats out of about 1,950 were designated for impoverished freedom fighters, who were ultimately deprived of the flats. Influential individuals, including Awami League leaders, bureaucrats and police officials, in collusion with the then administration of the association, secured allocations of the flats in their own name.
The administrator of the welfare association also claims that 334 out of the 516 members of the association are not genuine freedom fighters. This revives the longstanding debate about thousands of fake freedom fighters enjoying benefits in the absence of proper scrutiny and a credible, comprehensive list of verified veterans. Beyond the specific scandal at Mirpur and the dominance of non-freedom fighters within the welfare association, the plight of freedom fighters reflects a broader, systemic neglect. Numerous other projects and assets entrusted to the Freedom Fighters’ Welfare Trust have languished in stagnation, remaining either entirely unused or wholly unproductive. This mismanagement has deprived disadvantaged freedom fighters and their families of the promised assistance. It is a bitter irony that the country has failed the freedom fighters, who are the living embodiment of the independence struggle. The liberation war is the most significant event in the country’s history and the freedom fighters are the nation’s eternal heroes. Political parties and historians may argue over who did what, but the bravery of those who took up arms remains the bedrock of the national identity. Failing these individuals is not merely a policy error. It is also an unforgivable betrayal of the national spirit.
The state must, therefore, not fail to protect the rights of those who secured freedom. The government must initiate a comprehensive investigation of the Bijay Rakeen City allocations and undertake a total verification of the welfare association’s membership. Illegal occupants must be evicted and the flats returned to the genuine, marginalised veterans.
