Civil Service Solidarity: BCS Cadres Launch Profile Picture Protest
BCS Officers Change Facebook Profile Pictures to Protest Inter-Cadre Discrimination
Officials from 25 different cadres of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) have launched a social media campaign by changing their Facebook profile pictures in protest against discrimination within the civil service. The Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council initiated the campaign on Thursday, demanding the resolution of long-standing disparities among BCS cadres.
According to Mohammad Omar Faruq Dewan, coordinator of the council, ten officers from various cadres were recently suspended, one was made OSD (Officer on Special Duty), and several others are facing disciplinary actions for expressing opinions on social media. However, he alleged that no punitive measures were taken against administration cadre officers, despite engaging in similar activities. “This biased approach and misuse of authority prompted us to launch this peaceful movement,” he stated.
The protesting officers argue that severe discrimination exists within the BCS cadre system, which hinders overall national development and professionalism. They emphasized that reforms in civil service policies are necessary to eliminate these inequalities. The movement also highlights discriminatory practices in disciplinary actions, where the administration cadre allegedly receives preferential treatment over others.
The Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council stated that officials from various ministries and departments affiliated with the movement are being suspended en masse for expressing their opinions on social media. The council condemned these sudden dismissals without prior show-cause notices, calling them “unjust and unacceptable”. They argued that suspending officers without allowing them to defend themselves violates fundamental rights and civil service regulations. “The officers affected by these actions are highly skilled and competent in their respective fields,” the council asserted.
Key Demands of the Movement
The council has long been advocating for:
- Professional Ministry Establishment (Each cadre should oversee its respective ministry – “Cadre Jar, Ministry Tar”)
- Abolition of quota-based promotions to the post of Additional Secretary
- Recruitment based solely on merit through open competitive exams
- Ensuring equal opportunities for all cadres
As part of this ongoing campaign, they previously conducted a similar profile picture protest on October 15, 2024, to draw attention to their demands.
