Ducsu protests removal of students from 49th BCS gazette

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) today (1 October) held a protest march and rally on the university campus over the removal of 57 candidates’ names from the final gazette of the 49th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination.

The programme was held around 12:30pm in front of the university’s Central Library.

The protesters marched through the Faculty of Arts and Madhur Canteen before ending the procession with a brief rally in front of the Ducsu building.

Several candidates whose names were removed from the final gazette also spoke at the rally.

Addressing the gathering, Ducsu Vice-President (VP) Shadik Kayem accused the BNP of seeking to undermine merit and introduce political patronage in public appointments.

“Like Sheikh Hasina, if you want to behave in this way, then a fate more severe than what happened to Hasina awaits you in Bangladesh,” Shadik said.

He alleged that the government had become increasingly disconnected from the public.

Ducsu Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Mohiuddin Khan said the government had faced controversy over several decisions relating to recruitment and appointments since coming to power.

He alleged that changes to viva marks, the proposed cancellation of appointments by the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA), and what he described as excessive scrutiny during verification for the Public Service Commission (PSC) and BCS were evidence of an attempt to politicise state institutions.

Abdullah Al Mamun Belal, a student from the 2019–20 academic year of Dhaka University, spoke about his disappointment after his name was omitted from the gazette despite ranking first in the Social Welfare cadre in the 49th BCS examination.

“I came first in the Social Welfare cadre in the 49th BCS, yet my name was not included in the gazette. I worked hard for the BCS from the very beginning and actively participated in the July movement. No case or allegation against me could justify my removal from the gazette,” he said.

“Even after the movement to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh, I am now facing discrimination. The matter should be reconsidered and my name included in the gazette before the joining date on 12 October,” Mamun said.

Another candidate excluded from the gazette, Rezwan Ahmed, said, “After waiting for nearly 10 months, my name is not in the gazette.”

“During the verification process, I was questioned about my political involvement and family background. I was never associated with the Bangladesh Chhatra League,” he said.

“I only stated that my father was associated with an opposition political party. Why should I be held responsible for my father’s political identity?” Rezwan asked.