Landmark HC judgment: Liberation War veterans to get enhanced honorarium

The High Court has ordered enhanced amount of state honorarium for 1971 Liberation War veterans, calling the sum as "dole" as it handed down a judgment upturning a 2002 government decision to discard 166 freedom fighters from the list of recipients.

"All concerned should keep in mind that offering the honorarium, they are not giving any dole, rather they are honouring a national hero . . . it is better to call the current amount of honorarium of Taka 300 a month or Taka 10 a day as alms," said the landmark judgment, the certified copy of which was made available on Thursday. "This just proves the national bankruptcy, does not reflect the national pride . . . the Court expresses its indignation regarding such treatment," read the judgment issued by a High Court bench comprising Justice ABM Khairul Haque and Justice Syed Mohammad Ziaul Karim.

The verdict also ordered restoration of state honorarium for 166 Liberation War veterans declaring a July 2002 decision of the then government to stop their allowances. "The respondents are also directed to pay all arrear outstanding to the respective petitioners within two months from the date of receipt of the judgment copy," it read.

The Court observed that the authorities did not cite any reason as they stopped the payment of the allowance and did not serve any show cause notice demanding any explanation. Senior Advocate Mahmudul Islam, Advocate Syed Haidar Ali, Advocate AKM Zahirul Haque and Advocate Abdul Latif Mia stood for petitioners Mohammad Shahidullah and 165 others.

The High Court bench pronounced the judgment on June 7 and the certified copy was issued on Thursday.

The verdict also directed the education ministry for "compulsory incorporation" of the "correct history" of the 1971 Liberation War from class I to class X in all schools and madrasas both in Bangla and English medium.

"The lack of interest and negligence we have shown to the freedom fighters because of our ignorance and indifference about the sacrifices of the valiant freedom fighters. But as a nation we need to inform our new generation the history of the Liberation War, which is our pride," the judgment read.