Bangabandhu-led Cabinet member's name in Razakar list!

The recently-published list of 10,789 collaborators includes the name of Shahjada Abdul Malek Khan, a minister of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman-led cabinet in 1973.
The list published on Dec 16, drew tremendous backlash for containing the names of freedom fighters along with names of those who collaborated with Pakistan forces during the 1971 Liberation War.
Malek, who served as the post-war government’s state minister for industries, was also the BAKSAL governor of Barishal’s Patuakhali district.
Several forums, including Barguna Muktijoddha Shangshad and Sectors Commanders Forum expressed their ire at the inclusion.
Shahjada Malek Khan’s son Monti Khan expressed his surprise and demanded that the list be revoked.
“My father was one of the organisers of the Liberation War. Today his name is in the list of Razakars,” he said.
He added that his father also played a significant role in the entire southern region during the six-point movement.
Former commander of Barguna Muktijoddha Shangshad Abdur Rashid said that Malek Khan’s name being included in the list of Razakars is a matter of shame for the freedom fighters.
“Those who were with us during 1971 or helped us are now in the list of Razakars,” he said and demanded that a new list be prepared.
Malek Khan started his career as a teacher in Barishal’s BM College in 1958. He played a significant role in Barishal region in 1966’s six-point movement.
Malek was elected an Awami League lawmaker during the 1970 election and actively participated in the Liberation War under the 1971 government-in exile.
In 1973, he was appointed as the state minister for industries of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led cabinet.
The first installment of the list of 10,789 people, who collaborated with the Pakistani occupation forces during the nine-month-long Liberation War in 1971, was published on Dec 15.
The list includes the name of the chief prosecutor of International Crime Tribunal (ICT), the only war crime tribunal in the country, amongst several freedom fighters and pro-liberation individuals.
Following the backlash, the Liberation War affairs minister apologised for the fiasco.