A government primary school teacher in Sirajganj has been temporarily suspended after a preliminary inquiry substantiated allegations that he secured his appointment under the freedom fighter quota by falsely presenting his maternal uncle as his father.
 
Sirajganj District Primary Education Officer Sahab Uddin confirmed the suspension on Wednesday, October 14, adding that preparations were underway to initiate departmental proceedings against Abdur Rashid.
 
Rashid, son of Rustam Ali and Rehana Begum of Dashasika village in Kamarkhand upazila, allegedly used forged documents to claim his freedom fighter uncle as his father and obtain a teaching job at Chhoto Hamkuria Government Primary School in Sirajganj Sadar upazila.
 
The allegations were previously reported by The Daily Sky and other media outlets.
 
Rashid’s brother, Saleh Akram, who serves in the Bangladesh Army, has also been accused of obtaining benefits under the freedom fighter quota using allegedly fraudulent documents. However, it could not be confirmed whether any action had been taken against him.
 
Meanwhile, Amena Khatun, the only daughter of freedom fighter Gazi SM Abul Kasem, alleged that relatives had improperly benefited from her father’s freedom fighter certificate. She demanded a fair investigation and punishment for those found responsible.
 
The suspension has sparked discussion in the area over alleged irregularities in recruitment under the freedom fighter quota.