Irene Rahman, New York — The Bangladeshi diaspora has erupted in fierce protest against the brutal attacks, arson, fabricated lawsuits, oppression, and social harassment targeted at the heroic Freedom Fighters of the 1971 Liberation War in various regions of Bangladesh. Deep outrage was also expressed over the recent inhuman disruptions surrounding the burial and state honors of the late Freedom Fighter Manik Poshari in Pirojpur. Organized by the Genocide ’71 Foundation USA, a crowded protest press conference was held at the Nabanna Restaurant in Jackson Heights, New York. The significant event was presided over by veteran Freedom Fighter and prominent diaspora organizer Dr. Pradip Ranjan Kar, and seamlessly conducted by the organization’s General Secretary, Md. Monzur Chowdhury.
During the written statements and open discussions, resident overseas Freedom Fighters and progressive political leaders strongly condemned what they described as a deep-seated conspiracy to undermine the state and social status of veterans in Bangladesh. Expressing profound anger, the speakers asserted that extinguishing or neglecting the historic ‘Shikha Anirban’ (The Eternal Flame) at the Dhaka Cantonment—a symbol of Bangladesh’s independence and a monument to the martyred heroes—is entirely unacceptable. They placed an urgent demand on the current interim administration to reignite this glorious flame with full state honors immediately.
Furthermore, the speakers sharply condemned the inhumane situation created during the burial and Guard of Honor of Freedom Fighter Manik Poshari in Pirojpur. Leaders remarked that showing such disrespect to the mortal remains of a national hero and threatening his family is an extreme disgrace to the history of the Bengali nation. The press conference demanded the immediate withdrawal of ongoing, orchestrated harassment and fabricated lawsuits initiated against Freedom Fighters following the political landscape shift of August 5.
A significant number of heavy-weight political figures, front-line Freedom Fighters, and social activists attended the press conference to express their solidarity. Among the senior leadership present were the respected advisory board members of the US Awami League, veteran journalist Hakikul Islam Khokon, and the Joint Convenor of the US Awami League (Eastern Region), Engineer Mohammad Ali Siddique. Front-line veterans standing in solidarity included Freedom Fighters Faruk Hossain, Mofazzal Hossain Talukder, Shawkat Akbar Richi, and Khurshid Anwar Bablu. Associate organizations were represented by Advocate Zakir Hossain, US National Sramik League General Secretary Mohammad Jewel Ahmed, Vice President Mr. T. Molla, and former President of the US Awami Volunteers League, Nuruzzaman Sardar.
Additionally, the new generation of youth and student leaders in attendance included Shibly Sadik (leader of the Freedom Fighter’s Children Generation ’71 and NY Metropolitan Awami League), Kajal Mahmud (US Awami League leader), Agriculturist Mizanur Rahman, former President of the US Chhatra League Zainal Abedin Joy (Z.A. Joy), former General Secretary Jahangir H. Mia, and former student leader Shahidul Islam.
Representing civil society and women’s rights were Reena Abedin and prominent community activist Shakti Dasgupta. Concluding the press conference, the Freedom Fighters issued a joint warning, declaring that despite being geographically distant, the children who shed blood to liberate the soil of Bangladesh will not sit idly by while unfair, veteran-hostile activities take place. The conference wrapped up with a firm vow to continue international lobbying and active movements to safeguard the constitutional and state dignity of all Freedom Fighters.
