Jamaat MP’s freedom fighter remarks raise questions after birth date exposure

A statement made in parliament by Jamaat-e-Islami leader and Nilphamari-4 lawmaker Abdul Muntakim has sparked debate after questions emerged regarding his claim that his father was martyred during the 1971 Liberation War.

Speaking during a session of the National Parliament on Tuesday, Muntakim highlighted what he described as his family’s contribution to the Liberation War.

He told lawmakers that his father and grandfather were war martyrs, adding that four of his father’s seven brothers and 11 of his 19 uncles had participated in the war.

He further claimed that a total of 47 members of his family were freedom fighters and that his mother had been an organiser of the Liberation War.

However, the remarks have drawn scrutiny after media reports noted that according to his election affidavit, Muntakim’s date of birth is 10 January 1981.

Based on that information, critics have questioned how his father could have been martyred during the 1971 war if the lawmaker was born a decade later.

The issue has generated discussion on social media and in political circles, with some observers calling for clarification regarding the statement.

Media reports also noted that the same 1981 birth date is listed on publicly available online sources, including Wikipedia.