A unilateral decision by the Ministry of Public Administration has sparked widespread discontent among 25 non-administrative cadres, effectively splitting the nation's civil service into two factions.
Officials from these cadres have alleged that while they face punitive measures for similar offences, administrative cadre officers remain unscathed.
Proposed reforms by the Public Administration Reform Commission have exacerbated the divide.
The commission's recommendations include introducing examinations for promotion to the post of deputy secretary, with a 50% quota for administrative cadres and the remaining 50% from other cadres.
Additionally, the proposal suggests separating the education and health cadres from the administration.
Since the announcement, unrest has pervaded the civil service, with the general public bearing the brunt of disrupted services.
Although senior and field-level officials have refrained from publicly acknowledging the discord, both sides have engaged in various protest actions.
Leaders from both camps have already warned of more stringent measures if their demands are not met.
Bangladesh Administrative Service Association and the BCS (Administration) Welfare Co-operative Society Limited support the administrative cadre, while the Anti-Cadre Discrimination Eradication Council represents the interests of the 25 non-administrative cadres.
Social media has become a battleground, with both groups trading disparaging and inflammatory remarks.
The Anti-Cadre Discrimination Eradication Council has accused the Ministry of Public Administration of selectively targeting their members with sweeping disciplinary measures.
The council recently issued a statement expressing concern over the widespread suspension of BCS cadre officials from 25 different services for social media expressions, often without any prior show-cause notices.
The statement denounced these actions as unwarranted and contrary to employment regulations, asserting that the suspended officials are competent and talented in their respective fields.
It argued that suspensions without the opportunity for self-defence breach fundamental rights and employment rules. It highlighted the council's belief in a discrimination-free Bangladesh, born from a spontaneous mass uprising of students and the public, and criticised the current government's infringement on the freedom of expression.
The council also warned that persistent suspensions could lead to discontent within the civil service, potentially embarrassing the government.
They urged the revocation of these suspension orders and the exoneration of the accused officials to avoid such a scenario.
Dr Muhammad Mofizur Rahman, coordinator of the Anti-Cadre Discrimination Eradication Council, commented, "Both sides have exchanged conflicting statements, which is not unusual. However, employment regulations stipulate that any offensive remarks should be addressed through a show-cause notice, allowing the accused to defend themselves. Immediate suspension without following these procedures is questionable."
He further criticised the Ministry of Public Administration for not taking action against administrative cadre officers who made offensive comments about the 25 non-administrative cadres; and questioned the fairness of the disciplinary process, highlighting the administrative cadre's control over all public administration powers, which has led to the current misuse of authority.
"Deprived of justice from the administration, we now seek justice from God," he concluded.
