“Becoming a bureaucrat may be difficult, but making money is easy. Ethics have long been replaced by schemes and manipulation. The man once seen in the rice fields was yesterday in a boat—no matter who governs, their influence remains intact. Under the guise of Mujib Centenary celebrations, they embezzled billions of public funds. Now, Agriculture Secretary Mian has taken a new form. After shedding crocodile tears, he gained favor with the Prime Minister’s advisor, and now he’s using that opportunity to consolidate the position of his fellow Awami League loyalists at the Farmgate Agriculture Complex.”

The loyal bureaucrats of the autocratic Sheikh Hasina regime, having received top promotions, continue to conspire against the country. During Hasina’s tenure, those involved in forced disappearances, killings, and money laundering abroad are being granted immunity through promotions or strategic transfers. Even in exile, Sheikh Hasina’s control over Bangladesh remains evident. One such figure with alarming influence is found in the Ministry of Agriculture.

In 2020, the government formed a committee to celebrate the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The chief coordinator of this committee was pro-Awami bureaucrat Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury. On January 26 of that year, Dr. Emdad Ullah Mian from the Cabinet Division was appointed to assist this committee. While Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury is currently imprisoned in connection to a student murder case, Emdad Ullah Mian now serves as Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture. However, the Mujib Year celebrations sparked widespread allegations of corruption, lack of transparency, and blatant politicization, particularly related to the construction of over 10,000 murals, plaques, and monuments across the country.

Dr. Mian played a central role in project implementation. Now, as Secretary of Agriculture, ministry officials allege that he continues to operate with partisan favoritism and bureaucratic self-interest. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has already begun investigating these corruption allegations. The names of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and then Principal Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury have surfaced in the probe. Kamal is currently imprisoned.

Although Dr. Mian had a direct role in project approvals, allocations, implementation, and monitoring at the field level, he remains unaccountable. This raises questions: Has political backing or an internal administrative syndicate shielded him from liability? As Agriculture Secretary, Dr. Mian faces accusations of political favoritism within agricultural administration. He has been actively involved in reinstating and appointing Awami-aligned officials to key field positions. Notably, those bureaucrats who supported the Awami regime during the “July Uprising” by issuing statements and attending rallies have been rehabilitated—some directly, and others under the patronage of Emdad Ullah Mian. This influence is clearly reflected in several postings within the ministry.

Due to the privileges of past regime beneficiaries, pro-fascist elements are being systematically rehabilitated nationwide. Through various government channels, they are strategically disrupting governance. Many crucial documents are reaching regime loyalists in no time. There are even allegations of vital corruption-related files being removed from ministries.

At a Glance: The Background and Major Allegations of Agriculturee Secretary Emdad Ullah Mian

Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mia

Position: Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture

Political Background:

1. Former student leader of Chhatra League at Islamic University, Kushtia.

2. One of the coordinators of the Mujib Birth Centenary Celebration Committee.

3. Close relative of Advocate Mahiuddin Ahmed, President of Gacha Thana Awami League.

Corruption Details:

1. Embezzled nearly BDT 200 crore in the name of celebrating Mujib Year.

2. Used personal influence and PMO connections to get several projects approved in Padma Bridge and Gopalganj areas without proper feasibility studies.

3. Established a private institution named “Rahima-Fazal Memorial School & College” in Gazipur, securing nearly BDT 5 million in public development funds for it through illicit means.

His Actions as Agriculture Secretary:

1. Appointed officials who participated in the August 4 “Peace Rally” in favor of Awami fascism to key departments and major projects.

2. Appointed Awami-affiliated officers as Director Generals of DAE, Jute Research Institute, SRDI, BINA, BARC, Sugarcane Research Institute, among others.

3. Removed anti-fascist officials appointed after August 5 from their positions at DAE and Farmgate.

4. Despite many field-level DAE posts being vacant, he has not made appointments, creating administrative deadlock and causing an artificial fertilizer crisis.

5. Promoted 19 officials in DAE, of which 10 were Awami loyalists, while deliberately denying promotions to 5 senior anti-fascist officers.

It is worth noting that the Awami League government was overthrown on August 5 following a mass student and public uprising. Three days later, an interim government was established. Yet, even after more than seven months, stability has not returned. Instead, covert destabilization continues. These bureaucrats, many of whom played key roles in orchestrating the previous one-sided elections, are now aiding sabotage efforts from within. Their loyalty to the fascist regime granted them wealth and status. Even after the July revolution, their positions remain unchanged. Though political parties have demanded their removal, the interim government remains unresponsive. This raises a serious question: **Where does the true power of these fascist collaborators lie?** 

Just this past Wednesday, an ACC Deputy Director, on condition of anonymity, confirmed to the media that a written complaint from anti-fascist movement convener Nazrul Islam Tuhin was accepted regarding Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian—member secretary of the Mujib Centenary Committee and current Agriculture Secretary. Preliminary investigations have found the complaint to be credible, and a thorough inquiry is underway.