A group of excluded cadre officers from the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) has launched an indefinite hunger strike demanding immediate gazettement and implementation of a transparent government job verification policy. The protest, now in its 15th day at Dhaka University, follows the exclusion of 227 candidates—despite initial selection and security clearance—just 24 hours before their scheduled joining date in January 2025.
The 43rd BCS began with a circular in 2020, and by December 2023, 2,163 candidates were recommended by the Public Service Commission. However, a second gazette issued in December 2024 reduced the list to 1,896, citing objections from intelligence agencies NSI and DGFI. No specific reasons were provided for the exclusions.
Despite assurances from Senior Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman that candidates with no criminal or anti-state records would be reinstated within days, four months have passed with no progress. The delay has led to extreme distress, including suicide attempts and miscarriages among affected candidates.
Hunger strikers, including five Education Cadre officers, are suffering deteriorating health amid a heatwave, with four hospitalized and one in grave condition. They are calling for immediate inclusion of all excluded candidates in the gazette, except those with proven legal or disciplinary issues.
Although a committee has been formed to review the matter, officials have not provided a timeline for resolution, leaving over 200 candidates in limbo.
