A candidate for a lecturer position at Rajshahi University in Bangladesh has formally accused the institution's Theatre Department of corruption. Rahat Islam Hridoy, a high-achieving alumnus, claims he was told he needed to make a payment to secure the job. He has since filed complaints with university leadership, the education secretary, and the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Key Takeaways
- A candidate for a lecturer role at Rajshahi University alleges a "pay-for-job" scheme in the Theatre Department.
- The candidate, Rahat Islam Hridoy, claims the department chair told him payment was necessary for selection.
- Hridoy has submitted an alleged audio recording of the conversation as evidence and filed official complaints.
- The accused department chair and other university officials have denied all allegations, calling them baseless.
- A legal notice has been issued demanding the cancellation of the recruitment process pending an investigation.
Formal Complaint Lodged by Top Alumnus
Rahat Islam Hridoy, a former student of Rajshahi University's 2015-16 session, has made serious allegations against the Theatre Department's recent hiring process. Hridoy, who is currently pursuing higher education at West University of Timișoara in Romania, was a candidate for a lecturer position advertised on May 28.
Despite a strong academic record, which includes receiving the Dean's Award in 2019, Hridoy was not selected following the recruitment test held on September 15. He claims the process was compromised and has taken formal action by submitting a written complaint to the university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof Saleh Hasan Naqib.
Academic Achievements
Rahat Islam Hridoy graduated with high honors from Rajshahi University, securing a CGPA of 3.63 in his undergraduate degree and 3.86 in his master's program.
In his complaint, Hridoy states that before the exam, several individuals approached him with offers to guarantee his selection in exchange for money. He asserts that he refused these offers.
Allegations Against Department Leadership
The core of Hridoy's complaint centers on an alleged conversation with the Theatre Department Chair, Prof Mir Mehbub Alam. Hridoy claims that during a Facebook Messenger call on September 12, just days before the recruitment test, the department chair informed him about a "system" for securing the position.
"I was asked how much I could pay," Hridoy told The Daily Star. "The chair confirmed that money was required. I refused, even if it cost me the job."
As evidence, Hridoy has submitted a seven-minute audio recording of the alleged call to the university administration. In the recording, Hridoy is reportedly heard acknowledging that he does not believe the chair is personally involved but suspects a network of intermediaries is at play. The voice attributed to the chair warns Hridoy not to mention his name and advises him to "think like an adult."
Questions Raised About Recruitment Board
Hridoy's complaint also raises concerns about the integrity of the recruitment board itself. He questioned the last-minute replacement of an external expert on the panel, suggesting the change was made to benefit specific candidates.
He alleged that the original expert was replaced by Abul Bashar Md Ziaul Haque Bhuiyan of Dhaka University. Hridoy claims this substitution favored candidates with connections to both the department chair and the new external expert. Furthermore, he alleged that some applicants received the written exam topics in advance, which he believes explains the unexpectedly strong performance of two particular individuals.
Legal Action and Official Denials
Following the submission of his complaints, Hridoy has escalated the matter by taking legal steps. On Thursday, his lawyer, Muhammad Nurul Huda, served a legal notice to several high-ranking officials. The notice was sent to the education secretary, an education adviser, the RU vice-chancellor, the registrar, and the chairman of the University Grants Commission.
Demands in the Legal Notice
- Immediate cancellation of the disputed recruitment process.
- Formation of an impartial committee to investigate the allegations.
- A warning of further legal action if no steps are taken within seven days.
In his formal letter to the vice-chancellor, Hridoy has urged the university to halt the recruitment process and not forward the board's recommendations to the syndicate for approval until a thorough and impartial investigation is completed.
University Officials Respond
The individuals named in the allegations have firmly denied any wrongdoing. When contacted, Prof Mir Mehbub Alam, the Theatre Department Chair, dismissed the claims entirely. "The audio is completely fake," he stated. "The department and board conducted the recruitment with full transparency. These allegations are baseless and ill-intentioned."
Another individual mentioned by Hridoy, Nawab Nasir, who was described as leading a "circle of influence," also denied any involvement. "I am just a filmmaker. I have been framed," Nasir said.
Rajshahi University Registrar Iftekhar Alam Masud confirmed that the Vice-Chancellor had been verbally informed of the situation but said he had not yet received an official written complaint. The registrar also stated that Hridoy was not selected because he "failed to prove his merit in the exam." The university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof Saleh Hasan Naqib, could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts.
