Staff Reporter

Despite being a government official, Sirajganj Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Nurul Amin directed a journalist to address him as ‘Mohodoy (Sir)’. He got angry when he was called Bhai (brother) instead of ‘Mohodoy (Sir)’.

“Who are you calling brother? You can’t call a civil surgeon brother. I am a district-level officer. You call me ‘Sir’. You have no right to call me brother,” said Civil Surgeon Dr. Nurul Amin when a TV journalist asked him to comment on his professional matter. Furthermore, the arrogant civil surgeon pressured the journalist to reveal the name of the source, who had informed him about the expired medicines stored in the 50-bed hospital in Ullapara.

The incident causes anger among the journalists and civil society members, when the conversation went viral through social media.

Basically, journalists always keep the names of their sources secret for their safety. But, instead of giving the information that was asked of the civil surgeon, he (CS Nurul Amin) kept asking the journalist various counter questions about why the journalist went there and who gave him the information. Not only that, he got angry at why he was called brother and questioned whether a journalist can call a district level officer brother?

Government officials cannot force the public to address them as ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’.

According to the Constitution and administrative rules of Bangladesh, government employees are servants of the people, not their masters. Although there was a practice of addressing them as ‘Sir’ in some cases in the past, the interim government has officially abolished this rule.

Constitution and Service:

According to Article 21(2) of the Constitution, it is the duty of every person employed in the service of the Republic to always strive to serve the people.

Legal Obligation:

There is no provision in any law or regulation for government officials and employees to force the public to address them as ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’.

New Directive:

Recently, the government has abolished the rule or obligation to address government officials as ‘Sir’.