Cadre officers excluded from 43rd BCS launched an indefinite hunger strike demanding immediate gazettement and implementation of government job verification policy.
Debasis Gus, hunger striker, told Daily Observer during 15th day of sit-in at Anti-Terror Raju Memorial base of Dhaka University, "Even as BCS cadre officer, I'm sitting here like this. It's hard to believe."
43rd BCS circular was published in 2020, followed by exams with final recommendations made on 26 December 2023. After verification by Deputy Commissioners and Special Branch of Police, government published first gazette on 15 October 2024, with joining date postponed to 1 January 2025.
NSI and DGFI conducted another verification, and 24 hours before joining, 227 candidates were excluded through second gazette without any specific reason. Affected individuals approached Ministry of Public Administration requesting reconsideration.
Following public criticism, Senior Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman assured candidates with no criminal cases, anti-state activities, or disciplinary action would be appointed within 2-3 working days.
Despite assurances, gazette for excluded candidates remains unpublished after four months. During this period, two male candidates attempted suicide and three female candidates suffered miscarriages due to extreme stress.
Five representatives have been observing hunger strike since 29 April. After 15 days, no government official has reached out while strikers face worsening health during heatwave. Four are critically ill in hospital, with one in grave condition.
Hunger strikers include Debasis Gus, Samarjit Chakrabarty, Foysal Chokdar, Matiur Rahman, and Hannan Sarkar, all from Education Cadre.
BCS Circular published November 2020. PSC recommended 2,163 candidates in December 2023. First gazette included 2,064 candidates in October 2024. Second gazette issued in December 2024 included only 1,896 names, excluding over 200 previously selected candidates.
Ministry explained 40 excluded candidates missed medical tests, while 227 were dropped due to "objections" from NSI and DGFI, citing selection based on "clean image."
Most excluded candidates had already resigned from jobs, declined other offers, and skipped other opportunities, leaving them in uncertain circumstances with significant psychological distress and social embarrassment.
Excluded candidates demand immediate inclusion in fresh gazette for all except those with documented criminal offences or anti-state activities.
Ministry of Public Administration sources report four-member committee comprising advisors and secretaries has formed to oversee gazettement, but no roadmap exists for when recommendations or gazette will be published.
NRE/NSA
