What does the word Razakar mean

The term Razakar originates from the Arabic word "raz?kir," meaning "volunteer." However, its historical context gives it a far more complex and controversial meaning. In South Asia, particularly in India and Bangladesh, "Razakar" is associated with paramilitary groups that collaborated with opposing forces during times of political unrest. Most notably, during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, Razakars supported the Pakistani military in suppressing the independence movement, often engaging in atrocities against civilians. In India, the term also refers to the volunteer militia under the Nizam of Hyderabad, who resisted integration into the Indian Union in 1948. Over time, the word has taken on a deeply negative connotation, often used to label traitors or collaborators. Thus, while "Razakar" may mean "volunteer" in its literal sense, its historical usage has imbued it with meanings of betrayal and violence in the regional context.