The burial of freedom fighter Delwar Hossain, 85, in Bakshiganj, Jamalpur, took place without a state Guard of Honour after objections were raised over his status as a freedom fighter.
Hossain was buried at his family graveyard in Modonerchar village of Sadhurpara Union on Thursday afternoon following his funeral prayers. Local officials said the planned state honours were suspended after several freedom fighters, including Naushed Ali, the upazila freedom fighters’ commander, objected to the ceremony.
Hossain was a former teacher at Sadhurpara Nazrul Islam High School. According to local sources, he had been suffering from various physical ailments for a considerable period. He died at around 3am on Thursday at a private hospital in Dhaka.
His funeral was scheduled to take place in Modonerchar on Thursday afternoon. The local administration had made arrangements to provide him with a Guard of Honour in recognition of his status as a freedom fighter.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Asma-ul-Husna was travelling to the village with police personnel when the administrative team was stopped on the way. Naushed Ali and several other freedom fighters reportedly objected to the planned state honours and demanded that no Guard of Honour be given to Hossain.
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 opposed the Guard of Honour because of these concerns and because he believed the dignity of genuine freedom fighters should be protected.
Hossain’s family, however, rejected the claim. His son, Shamim Mia, said his father had been officially recognised as a freedom fighter and had received the government benefits associated with that status for years.
“Because of objections raised by several freedom fighters, my father had to be buried without state honours,” Shamim said.
The incident has also prompted questions locally about Hossain’s official status. Abdul Latif Lion, president of the Bakshiganj Press Club, said Hossain had received government benefits as a recognised freedom fighter. If there were doubts about his status, he questioned why he had been allowed to receive those benefits for so long.
The administration said preparations for the Guard of Honour had been completed before the team left for Modonerchar. However, officials decided to suspend the ceremony after facing strong opposition on the way, citing concerns that the situation could become disorderly.
Asma-ul-Husna said the matter would be discussed with senior authorities before any further decision was taken.
The dispute centres on conflicting claims about Hossain’s recognition as a freedom fighter. His family and local supporters point to his longstanding government recognition and benefits, while Naushed Ali has questioned the validity of that status. No final decision by the relevant authorities on the allegation had been announced at the time of his burial.
The funeral and burial therefore went ahead without the state honours that had initially been planned. The issue of Hossain’s official recognition remains subject to further administrative consideration.
