The professional behaviour of Tanzila Tasnim, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Rajarhat in Kurigram district has sparked discussion after she addressed Disaster Management and Relief Minister Principal Asadul Habib Dulu as “Sir” 25 times during her a 90-second speech.
The incident came to attention following a programme held in Rajarhat on Wednesday (October 21) on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja.
Although Tasnim spoke about several issues, including a demand for establishing a surveyor college in Rajarhat, praise for government initiatives and matters concerning public servants, her repeated use of the honorific for the minister became the main talking point.
Tasnim delivered the speech at a sari distribution programme for underprivileged members of the Harijan, Ravidas and Bede communities at the Baidyer Bazar Harisabha Cultural Durga Temple premises in the upazila. Principal Asadul Habib Dulu attended the event as the chief guest.
Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath, Superintendent of Police Fazle Rabbi, district council administrator and district BNP member secretary Alhaj Sohel Hossain Kaykobad, district BNP convener Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, upazila BNP convener Advocate Shafiqul Rahman and member secretary Shahidul Islam, among others, were present.
Despite the range of issues raised in her speech, the frequency with which the UNO addressed the minister as “Sir” has drawn particular attention to her remarks.