Fact-checking watchdog Rumor Scanner has refuted recent reports from several Kolkata media outlets that claim all or most of the 168 candidates excluded in the latest gazette notification of the 43rd BCS are Hindus.
In a report published on its website on Saturday, Rumor Scanner clarified that the Ministry of Public Administration initially issued a gazette on October 15, 2024, appointing 2,064 candidates to the 43rd BCS.
However, the ministry later canceled this notification and issued a new one on Monday, appointing 1,896 candidates.
Consequently, 168 candidates were excluded from the latest notification compared to the previous one.
Amid this development, claims emerged in Indian media alleging that the excluded candidates were predominantly Hindus, with some reports even suggesting that all of them belonged to minority groups.
However, an investigation by Rumor Scanner revealed that 209 candidates listed in the October 15 notification were excluded in the Monday notification.
Of these, at least 120 candidates, which is approximately 57%, are Muslims.
Additionally, 41 candidates, who were excluded in the earlier notification, were added to the December list, among whom around 5 candidates are Hindus or minorities.
The Ministry of Public Administration’s notification on October 15, 2024, initially appointed 2,064 candidates to the Bangladesh Civil Service after excluding 99 individuals from the original 2,163 candidates recommended by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission.
Among those 99 candidates, 40 were excluded for being absent from the medical examinations, while 59 were excluded based on reports from relevant agencies.
In response to questions about the credibility of the recruitment process and to ensure transparency, the government decided to conduct an additional screening of the 2,163 recommended candidates.
This screening was carried out by the National Intelligence Service (NSI) and Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).
Based on the agency reports, 227 candidates were flagged for adverse backgrounds and deemed temporarily unsuitable for appointment.
Combined with the 40 candidates who missed the medical examination, a total of 267 candidates were excluded from the final list, leaving 1,896 candidates in the notification issued on Monday.
Rumor Scanner compiled a list of the candidates omitted in the new notification and found that at least 120 of the excluded candidates were Muslims, representing the majority of those removed.
Meanwhile, 41 candidates who were not included in the October notification were added to the December list, with about 5 of them identified as Hindus or minorities.
In light of the verification process, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a statement on Thursday, confirming that reconsideration applications are being accepted for candidates deemed temporarily unsuitable for appointment.
Rumor Scanner concluded that the claim alleging that all or most of the 168 excluded candidates are Hindus is misleading.
The findings confirm that the majority of the excluded candidates are Muslims, and the inclusion of new candidates, including minorities, was based on further verification and clearance by intelligence agencies.
source : dhakatribune
