The burial of freedom fighter Delwar Hossain, 85, in Bakshiganj of Jamalpur was carried out without the state honours, or Guard of Honour, normally accorded to recognised freedom fighters. Local officials said the ceremony was halted after objections from several freedom fighters, including Naushed Ali, the upazila freedom fighters’ commander and a BNP leader responsible for freedom fighters’ affairs.
Hossain was buried at his family graveyard in Modonerchar village of Sadhurpara Union on Thursday afternoon following his funeral prayers.
Hossain, a former teacher at Sadhurpara Nazrul Islam High School, had reportedly been suffering from various physical ailments for a prolonged period. He died at around 3am on Thursday at a private hospital in Dhaka, according to local sources.
The administration had made preparations to provide him with state honours at the time of his burial. Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Asma-ul-Husna was travelling to Modonerchar with police personnel to conduct the ceremony.
However, while on the way, Naushed Ali and several other freedom fighters stopped the administrative team and objected to the planned Guard of Honour. They demanded that Hossain should not receive state honours, raising questions over his status as a freedom fighter.
Ali claimed that Hossain was not a genuine freedom fighter and alleged that his name had been included in the official list through an irregular process. He said he had opposed the Guard of Honour because of the allegation and to protect the dignity of those who had genuinely participated in the Liberation War.
The allegation has been rejected by Hossain’s family. His son, Shamim Mia, said his father had long been recognised as a freedom fighter and had received the government benefits available to freedom fighters.
“Because of objections raised by several freedom fighters, my father had to be buried without state honours,” Shamim said.
The incident has also drawn criticism locally. Abdul Latif Lion, president of the Bakshiganj Press Club, said Hossain had received government benefits as a freedom fighter. He questioned how Hossain could have continued receiving such benefits for years if his status was not valid.
The disagreement highlights a dispute over Hossain’s official recognition that remained unresolved at the time of his death. While Ali questioned the validity of that recognition, Hossain’s family and local observers pointed to his longstanding status within the government system.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) Asma-ul-Husna said the administration had been fully prepared to provide the Guard of Honour. However, after facing strong opposition from Naushed Ali and others on the way to the village, officials decided to suspend the ceremony temporarily to avoid an unwanted situation.
She said the matter would be discussed with senior authorities and that a decision would be taken after consultation.
As a result, Hossain’s funeral and burial went ahead without the state honours that had initially been planned. The immediate dispute centred on whether his official recognition as a freedom fighter was valid, with the administration yet to announce any further decision on the matter.
