Among the 133 ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government, 98 ordinances were recommended to be presented as bills in their entirety, one of which is the National Freedom Fighters Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

Published on June 2, 2025, this ordinance provides a definition of freedom fighters and their associates, but the three members of the opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami, who were on the special committee scrutinising the 133 ordinances, have issued a note of dissent regarding this ordinance.

The ordinance redefined the term "freedom fighter" (Bir Muktijoddha) and introduced three new categories: Muktijuddher Shohojogi (associate of the Liberation War); Muktijoddha Poribar (family of a freedom fighter); and Muktijuddher Shohojogi Poribar (family of a Liberation War associate).

Who would be Bir Muktijoddha (freedom fighter)?

According to the ordinance, the new definition of a Bir Muktijoddha reads:

"Bir Muktijoddha is someone who, between March 26 and December 16, 1971, either prepared for war and received training within villages across the country, or crossed the border into India to enroll in various training camps with the aim of participating in the Liberation War. These individuals actively took part in the war against the occupying and invading Pakistani armed forces and their local collaborators -- Razakars, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami, Nezame Islam, and the Peace Committee -- towards achieving Bangladesh's independence.

Those recognised as freedom fighters must be civilians who were of the minimum age as determined by the government during the time of war. Also included as freedom fighters are members of the armed forces, East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), police, the Mujibnagar government and its recognised forces, naval commandos, Kilo Force, and Ansar members.

All women who were subjected to torture by the Pakistani forces and their collaborators (Biranganas); and all doctors, nurses, and medical assistants who provided treatment to wounded freedom fighters in field hospitals during the war will continue to be regarded as freedom fighters.”

The issued ordinance defines “Liberation War” as the war against the aggressors and their collaborators, including Razakars, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami, Nezame Islam, and the Peace Committees, from 26 March to 16 December 1971, with the aspiration to establish equality, human dignity, and social justice for the people of Bangladesh as an independent democratic state.

In the report of the Special Committee, out of 133 ordinances, 98 ordinances have been recommended to be submitted to the parliament in the form of bills. In the list of 98 ordinances recommended to be submitted in the form of bills, the National Freedom Fighters Council (Amendment) Ordinance is listed at number 38.

The constitution states that if an ordinance is not approved by the parliament within 30 days of submission, it will cease to be effective. From August 8, 2024, to February 17, 2026, the interim government issued these ordinances.

After the national elections, a 13-member parliamentary special committee was formed under the leadership of Barisal-3 MP Zainul Abedin. The three MPs from the opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami in the committee are Prof Mujibur Rahman, Gazi Nazrul Islam, and Md Rafiqul Islam Khan.

The opposition members gave a note of dissent on 17 ordinances after they did not agree with the government members in the committee on those ordinances.

Regarding the note of dissent given in the National Freedom Fighters Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, the government has proposed to pass this ordinance.

“We are expressing our disagreement for the reasons stated below,” read the note.

If the ordinance is passed in its current form, without any changes, it would appear that political parties such as the Muslim League, Jamaat‑e‑Islami, and Nezame Islami are part of Pakistan, which is not at all reasonable, it said.

At the same time, Article 2 of the ordinance -- which defines freedom fighters and the Liberation War -- requires revision, it added.

“Therefore, in the interest of political unity and harmony in the country, we have taken a position in favour of passing the ordinance in an amended form.”