A question in the 47th BCS written exam has triggered widespread backlash after referring to Bangladesh’s Liberation War as a “Resistance War” and the Pakistani military as the “Occupant Army.” The wording appeared in the Mahananda question set for the Bangladesh Affairs paper on December 3, asking candidates to “give a brief account of the resistance war waged against the occupying forces in March–April 1971.” The phrasing has drawn intense criticism on social media, with many describing it as a distortion of the country’s historical terminology.
Since images of the question paper went viral, commentators have questioned why the official exam would avoid the established term “Muktijuddho” (Liberation War). Users noted that describing 1971 as a “resistance war” obscures the political and historical context of Bangladesh’s armed struggle for independence. Others warned that such language signals a troubling shift in how the Liberation War is being framed in state-administered examinations.
Several users criticized the change as a “subtle blow” to the spirit of 1971. Comments ranged from disbelief to concern about deliberate attempts to reshape historical memory. Many asked what justification exists for replacing “Liberation War,” a term central to Bangladesh’s identity, with terminology that minimizes the nature of the conflict.
Despite the growing public debate, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has not issued any clarification or response. With the controversy continuing to spread online, questions remain about how the phrasing entered the exam and what accountability mechanisms, if any, will address it.
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