Dhaka, Feb. 25 -- Only those who fought directly on the battlefield against the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971 will be recognised as 'freedom fighters,' while those who played a role in mobilising public opinion, securing diplomatic support and assisting the war efforts from home and abroad will be categorised as 'Liberation War Associates.'

"We are amending the 'National Freedom Fighters Council Act, 2022' through an ordinance to bring about this change," Farooq-e-Azam, the adviser to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, revealed this in an interview with UNB.

When asked about the existing law, eight categories of individuals and professionals who did not directly participate in combat are recognised as 'Bir Muktijoddha' (valia...