The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs’ proposal to revise the definition of “freedom fighter” has been rejected by the Advisory Council, maintaining the existing legal definition. The ministry had presented the National Freedom Fighters Council (Draft Amendment) Ordinance-2025 at the 28th Advisory Council meeting on May 15, aiming to amend the National Freedom Fighters Council Act-2022.
The proposed amendment sought to divide freedom fighters into two categories: “heroic freedom fighters” (active combatants and medical personnel) and “associates of the liberation war” (supporting professionals, journalists, and others). However, the Advisory Council did not approve the classification, instructing the ministry to retain the current definition and submit a revised draft.
Sources confirmed that the council strongly opposed the proposed redefinition, citing concerns about legal and administrative complications. A Cabinet Division expert panel had also advised against altering the definition, advice which the ministry initially ignored.
In addition, the draft ordinance controversially omitted references to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from several sections of the current Act—an omission that drew further criticism.
While the current law recognizes a broad range of contributors—including armed fighters, public figures, professionals, and artists—as “heroic freedom fighters,” the new draft aimed to create a narrower definition, which has now been rejected.
The ministry has been directed to revise and resubmit the draft, preserving the existing terminology and historical narrative. Final decisions on changes, if any, are expected after Cabinet review.
