Photo : Collected

DHAKA, March 28, 2026 (BSS) - Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan today said independence is the nation's greatest achievement in a thousand years, stressing that the spirit of the Liberation War remains the core of Bangladesh's identity. 

"Our greatest achievement in thousand years is our independence. Bangladesh's independence came only once in history-it neither came before nor will come again. Our identity is rooted in the Liberation War and in '1971," he said.

The minister was addressing a reception titled "Bir Muktijoddha Reception 2026," organised by Dhaka South City Corporation on the occasion of the Great Independence Day and National Day at Nagar Bhaban in the capital.

He said the fall of autocracy through the 1990 mass uprising and the fall of fascism through the 2024 student-people uprising are significant political achievements. "We honour these achievements, but equating them with independence would be a grave mistake," he added.

The minister said his ministry will undertake the challenging task of preparing accurate lists of genuine martyrs, freedom fighters and anti-liberation elements.

He added that ensuring allowances, housing and healthcare for freedom fighters remains a priority.

Around 1,500 freedom fighters from Dhaka city attended the programme, chaired by DSCC Administrator and Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam.

The event began with the hoisting of the national flag and the playing of the national anthem, followed by a one-minute silence in memory of the martyrs. A documentary on the Liberation War was also screened.

Crests, floral tributes and ceremonial scarves were later presented to the freedom fighters. At the event, Captain Nurul Huda (Sector 9), convener of the Central Command Council of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Naeem Jahangir, its member secretary Sadeq Ahmed Khan, convener of Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, BNP's Freedom Fighter Affairs Secretary Lt Col (retd) Zainal Abedin, among others, shared their memories of the 1971 war. 

Speaking at the programme, Md Abdus Salam said the country cannot progress without honouring its freedom fighters. "They belong to the nation, not to any political party," he said, urging the authorities to ensure free healthcare, housing and improved transport facilities for them.