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Published : 26 Mar 2025, 01:14 PM
Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) Secretary Namita Dey has been relieved of her duties after sending out letters to mosques requesting a special prayer for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Independence Day.
Namita has been made an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and attached to the Ministry of Public Administration, the ministry said in a notice on Tuesday
Hamida Khatun, the city corporation’s administrative officer, has also been suspended. A show-cause notice has been issued to both Namita and Hamida.
Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, who is the administrator of Gazipur City Corporation, has confirmed the development.
According to the GCC, the administration department issued a letter to all regional executive officers and relevant departments on Mar 26 regarding the observance of Independence Day.
The letter, signed by Namita on Mar 20, said: "As per the government’s decision, to observe the day with due respect, you are requested to hold special prayers in your mosque for the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as well as the progress of the country and nation, in memory of the martyrs of the Liberation War.”
A photo of the letter sparked widespread criticism on social media after it was published on Tuesday. Later, Namita sent out a second letter on the same day, which excluded the request to pray for Bangabandhu’s soul.
After learning about the incident, the Ministry of Public Administration issued an OSD order for Namita, while Hamida was suspended by GCC Chief Executive Officer Abdul Latif Khan.
When asked about the matter, Namita explained: “Administrative officer Hamida Khatun kept rushing me to sign the letter, along with other files. She did this intentionally. I immediately issued a corrected letter when I realised this. I request that this matter be viewed kindly.”
Hamida did not respond to any attempts to contact her on the phone about the allegations.
Sharif Uddin said, "Following this incident, Secretary Namita Dey has been made an OSD and transferred to the Ministry of Public Administration. Additionally, both she and Hamida Khatun have been issued show-cause notices, asking them to provide explanations within three working days."
