Liberation War Affairs Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikrom has stated that the 1971 Liberation War remains the fundamental basis of Bangladesh’s independence and should not be equated with other movements or struggles in the country’s history.

The minister made the remarks on Sunday while presiding over an exchange meeting with members of the National Freedom Fighters Council, at the ministry’s conference room.

Expressing concern over the political misuse of Liberation War ideals, the minister said the history and spirit of the war have been exploited for so long that the younger generation has been deprived of knowing the true account of the struggle.

“Many in our new generation do not know the immense sacrifice and hardship through which freedom fighters liberated Bangladesh,” he said.

“We must remember that the Liberation War is the very foundation of this nation’s birth,” the minister added.

The meeting also took several important decisions regarding the verification and review of the authentic freedom fighters’ list and the preservation of accurate historical records related to the 1971 war.

Ministry Secretary Israt Chowdhury, members of the council and senior ministry officials were present at the meeting.