Biranganas want FF status

On a day when country celebrated the Independence Day, Biranganas demanded recognition as freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.

Biranganas are the women, who lost their innocence during the war.

“We also want recognition as freedom fighters so that my son can also say that he is the son of a freedom fighter,” Surja Begum, a Birangana herself, said at Dhaka’s Ganajagaran Mancha Independence Day anniversary rally on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of a group of 10 Biranganas who came from Sirajganj to express solidarity with the Ganajagaran Mancha, she demanded execution of all war criminals of the Liberation War.

The crowd was also seen chanting slogans for recognition of Biranganas as freedom fighters.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had first recognised the women losing their innocence in 1971 as ‘Biranganas’.

“If Bangabandhu were alive today, we would not have had any sufferings. He took all our responsibilities in ’71,” Surja Begum said.

“He had put his hand on our heads and said: ‘Do not worry, as long as I am alive, no one can harm you’,” she sobbed.

Another Birangana Rahela Bawa said, “We will not accept any verdict other than execution (for war criminals). We don’t want to see them in Bangladesh...we want recognition as freedom fighters.”

Others present there were Rahela Begum, Kariman Begum, Nurjahan, Raju Bala, Ayesha Begum, Shamsunnahar, Rahima and Josna.

All of them wearing white sarees had secured places in front of the stage.