'Birangana' Ferdousi Priyabhashini angry over being left out of freedom fighters’ list

Sculptor Ferdousi Priyabhasini, who has always stood by women abused by Pakistani occupation forces and their collaborators, has vented her anger for being denied a place in the list of freedom fighters.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs published a gazette notification on Monday, adding the names of 41 Biranganas (literally war heroines), who were victims of Pakistani atrocities, in the list of freedom fighters.

When contacted on Tuesday, Priyabhasini said: “I am astonished. I am not sad, I am angry, very angry.”

“I was in Khulna in 1971. Towards the end of October, I was taken to a concentration camp…was held there for 32 hours. They subjected me to all possible forms of torture. It is an unbearable memory,” she told badnew24.com, recounting the terrible days of the war.

“I have never sought anything from anyone except recognition. My name should have been included. I am not sad. I am not complaining…I am angry. I have suffered extreme mental agony,” she said.

“The honourable prime minister has awarded me the Swadhinata Padak for my role during the war. I have given many interviews at home and abroad as a ‘Birangana’. I get invitations from the

Prime Minister’s Office to attend programmes related to the Liberation War,” she said in justification of her claim.

“I have been on the street from 1999, demanding the status of freedom fighter for the Biranganas. I am among those who have given the government the maximum information on tortured women and the Pakistani army. And now they have chosen to by-pass me.”

When contacted, the Liberation War Affairs Secretary MA Hannan said, “This is an ongoing process. The gazette has been published after scrutinising every piece of information about those whose names we have.

“The job of collecting the names of the Biranganas and the cross-checking of information is on. Those whose names have not appeared in yesterday’s list will find themselves included in the next gazette.

“There is no need to feel disheartened. Those who really have had a role in the Liberation War will surely get recognition,” he added.