Due to Facebook Post, 10 Cadre Officers Dismissed

A total of 10 officers from 25 cadres have been temporarily dismissed due to their posts on social media regarding various demands and issues, taking positions in favor of their respective cadres. The dismissals were primarily due to their social media activities. However, the Inter-Cadre Discrimination Removal Council has alleged that these officers were dismissed without being given a chance to defend themselves, which they consider to be contrary to established laws and regulations. The organization has demanded the revocation of these dismissal orders.

The Inter-Cadre Discrimination Removal Council has described this action as an unjustified and unwanted decision taken without a notice of cause, and it argues that such a measure goes against fundamental rights and service regulations. On the other hand, senior officials from the Ministry of Public Administration have stated that the dismissals were due to violations of social media guidelines.

Following the publication of the ideas of the Public Administration Commission regarding inter-cadre discrimination on December 17, there was an outpouring of protest among the cadre organizations. A massive showdown was organized at the Administration cadre secretariat, and a protest meeting was held at the BIAM Auditorium by the Bangladesh Administrative Service (BAS) and the BCS (Administration) Cadre Welfare Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited. The meeting harshly criticized the Public Administration Reform Commission and demanded the dismissal of its head within 48 hours and the dissolution of the commission to form a new one.

In the meantime, Gaziur City Corporation’s former Regional Executive Officer, Senior Assistant Secretary Mohammad Sadikur Rahman Shobuj, who was in OSD status, was dismissed for posting negative comments about the inter-cadre issue on Facebook. He was dismissed on December 29 (OSD) and December 30.

Following this, officers from other cadres, excluding the administration cadre, organized a pen strike, human chain, and discussion meeting under the banner of the Inter-Cadre Discrimination Removal Council. The speakers at the January 3rd meeting at Khamarbari Krishibid Institute criticized the absolute dominance of the administration cadre in the civil service and demanded a solution.

As a result, a total of nine officers from different cadres, including five from the BCS General Education cadre, one from the Fisheries cadre, one from the Livestock cadre, and one from the BCS (Road and Highways) Civil Engineering cadre, have been dismissed. The dismissed officials include Education cadre lecturers Asim Chandra Sarkar, Tanveer Khan, Mohammad Anwar Hossain Fakir, Mohammad Rofiqul Islam, and Shahadat Ullah Kaiser; Fisheries Officer Zahidul Islam; Livestock Officer Mohammad Jahangir Alam; and Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, Mohammad Shah Arefin.

The Inter-Cadre Discrimination Removal Council has criticized the dismissals as a blanket action, issuing a statement expressing deep concern. The statement stated that it has been observed with deep concern that BCS cadre officers working in various ministries and departments have been temporarily dismissed for expressing their opinions on social media.

The council called this an unexpected and unwarranted action, emphasizing that dismissals without a notice of cause and without giving the officers a chance to defend themselves go against their fundamental rights and employment regulations. According to the council, the officers dismissed were highly skilled and competent in their respective fields. The matter has been discussed at the council’s general meeting, and members are displeased with the dismissals without an opportunity for self-defense.

The council further stated that Bangladesh was formed through a spontaneous public uprising, pledging to uphold the ideals of building a discrimination-free nation and ensuring freedom of expression. The council strongly protested the restriction of these rights under the current interim government. While the council is cooperating with the government in its efforts to create a citizen-friendly civil service and implement necessary reforms, it warned that continued dismissals in this manner could lead to dissatisfaction within the civil service, which may put the government in a difficult position. Therefore, the council is calling for the revocation of the dismissal orders and a release from the charges.

However, senior officials from the Ministry of Public Administration have dismissed the council’s claims, asserting that the dismissals were made due to the violation of guidelines for social media conduct. Public administration expert Mohammad Firuj Mia told Jugantor that every officer in the civil service is highly intelligent and conscientious, serving as models for other employees. They work under specific laws and regulations, and guidelines have been provided regarding what can and cannot be posted on social media. Those who violated these rules must face punishment. He emphasized that these officers are not children who need constant reminders and that failure to act would weaken the government’s image.