civil surgeon, who chanted 'Joy Bangla' slogan, sent on forced retirement

The government has retired Dr Jalal Uddin Ahmed, the Civil Surgeon of Bagerhat, who chanted the 'Joy Bangla' slogan at the end of a speech during a vaccination program, after designating him as an officer on special duty (OSD) on Sunday.

This decision came just one day after the initial OSD designation was announced.

On Monday, a notification signed by MA Akmal Hossain, Senior Secretary of the Health Ministry, confirmed this matter.

The notification said that since Dr Jalal Uddin Ahmed had completed 25 years of service and considering the government's need to retire him from public service for the public interest, he was relieved of his duties under the provisions of Section 45 of the Government Service Act, 2018.

The notice also mentioned that he would be entitled to retirement benefits in accordance with the regulations.

This order, issued in the public interest, would take immediate effect.

On October 24, during an event at the Bagerhat Government Girls' School for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program, Dr Jalal Uddin Ahmed made a speech in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Kamrul Ahsan and concluded his remarks with the 'Joy Bangla' slogan.

A video of this incident circulated on social media, prompting local protests demanding the civil surgeon's removal.