In the Indian subcontinent's history, there have been several instances of shifting allegiances and political transformations.

In 1947, some who participated in the liberation movement of the Indian subcontinent later collaborated with the Razakars, a paramilitary group that opposed the creation of Bangladesh.

Many who gained acclaim in the 1950s for slogans like "Larkey lenge Pakistan–we will fight for Pakistan" (including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his mentor Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy) later faced criticism as alleged agents of the Muslim League (Not Mujib or Suhrawardy though).

Even their student organization, NSF, was accused of engaging in terrorism under the shelter of police protection.

Today, some of the freedom fighters from Awami League in 1971—prominent in the country’s liberation war—are now aligned with this "Razakar" ideology.

Similar to NSF, Awami League’s student wing, Chhatra League, is accused of committing atrocities under police protection. They have become widely scorned.

Identifying these modern-day "Razakars" is complex. It involves looking beyond labels and examining actions, ideologies, and allegiances.

It requires scrutinizing those who promote violence, intolerance, and oppression, regardless of their past affiliations or current political rhetoric. It's a task for historians, journalists, and civil society to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable.

But as common people, how do we recognize the contemporary "Razakars?"

They are those who opted for the 'Mujib Bahini' instead of the Liberation Forces in 1971, keeping themselves safely away from the battlefield.

They are the ones who held onto their weapons after independence and used them for robbery (incidents of robbery escalated significantly after independence, and they were labeled as hijackers).

They are the individuals who claim participation in the 1971 liberation war but now aspire to seize complete control of the country akin to Sheikh Hasina.

They include freedom fighters who, despite three generations, couldn't secure government jobs for their children and now demand permanent benefits for their incompetent offspring from the government.

They are the freedom fighters who remain silent in the face of Indian aggression. They are the young men who remain indifferent even after witnessing the hanging body of Felani. They are the students who were involved in the murder of Biswajit.

They are the teachers who, despite being old enough in 1971, did not participate in the war and instead divided students by questioning the side of independence.

They are the student leaders who supported the return of the Jatyiol Party to power through the grand alliance, advocating for justice for Roufun Basunia, Selim, Delwar, and Dipali Saha killed in the anti-Ershad movement.

They are the individuals who endorse the government's decision to provide direct transit to India. They are the Razakars who fought against one country to achieve independence and then handed over the country to another.

Then who are the freedom fighters of our generation?

Those spoken of as Razakars above, everyone else are freedom fighters.

True freedom fighters are those who selflessly dedicate their lives to the betterment of others and the liberation of their people. They are individuals like Ajij, who sacrificed himself while rescuing the injured at Rana Plaza, or Mobarak, Rafiq, and Tota Mia, who risked their lives to help others.

They are those like Sabikul, who drowned while saving people from floods, or Dr. Shahriar, who gave his life distributing medicine to the flood-stricken.

True freedom fighters are also those who fight for justice and equality, like Roufun Basunia, Selim, Delwar, Dipali Saha, and Nur Hossen, whose sacrifices have been forgotten by some.

They are truth-tellers like Abarar, who was killed for speaking out, and those like Abu Sayeed, who fought tirelessly for their rights.

In a nation where such courageous individuals exist, the people's victory is inevitable. It may not be immediate, but justice and freedom will prevail. The spirit of those who fight for a better future, like the legendary Spartacus, cannot be suppressed forever.

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CM Kajawl is a U.S based journalist and commentator