Dhaka, June 4 -- Reports indicating that the interim government had revoked the "freedom fighter" status of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the four national leaders, and other members of the administration that coordinated the 1971 war effort, popularly known as Mujibnagar government, are wide of the mark, according to Liberation War Affairs Advisor Faruk E Azam.

On Wednesday, he addressed the debate sparked by the government's decision to redefine the eligibility criteria for freedom fighters through an ordinance.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said: "This [the reports] is not accurate. It [the ordinance] clearly states Provisional Government of Bangladesh (Mujibnagar government). It mentions the Mujibnagar government...