Hatibandha Upazila boy names freedom fighter uncle 'father' to get benefits

A freedom fighter from Tong Bhanga village in Lalmonirhat’s Hatibandha Upazila has accused his nephew of using his name as his father's name in order to get benefits entitled to children of those who fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Student Rubel Hossain allegedly used the name of his uncle, Ibrahim Hossain, on applications to receive scholarships and other benefits reserved for the children of the 1971 freedom fighters.

Rubel Hossain is the son of Ibrahim’s younger brother Asir Uddin.

Hatibandha Freedom Fighters' Children Command Council Convenor Rokonuzzaman Sohail has said that Ibrahim has asked the Indian High Commission and the Freedom Fighter's welfare trust to correct the situation.

Rubel has received scholarships from these two organisations, Sohail explained.

Ibrahim has asked them to cancel the scholarships.

Neither Ibrahim nor Rubel's father Asir Uddin have spoken on the fraud.

However, speaking to bdnews24.com, Rubel has said that he has been taught to mention Ibrahim as his father since childhood.

He accused his uncle of having received his share of benefits from the Tk 48,000 scholarships drawn from the Indian High Commission and the Bangabandhu scholarship Rubel received from the Freedom Fighters' Welfare Trust.

Neighbours blamed a spat between brothers Ibrahim and Asir Uddin, which led Ibrahim to reveal the secret.

During the altercation Rubel took his father's side and enraged, Ibrahim reported the fraud.

Convener Rokonuzzaman Sohail said that such misuse of freedom fighter's name will not only harm Rubel, but will also discredit claims made as the children of freedom fighters.

Tong Bhanga Freedom Fighter Commander Nurol Amin has blamed Ibrahim for the fiasco.

Tong Bhanga Ward-2 member Fazlur Rahman said that Rubel is the son of Asir Uddin.

He said that Ibrahim and Asir Uddin had hatched the plan for Ibrahim to pose as Rubel’s father in an attempt to siphon money.

He said that a thorough investigation should be carried out and action should be taken against the guilty.