Is it not time we drop intelligence reports for government job recruitments?
For many, this year’s development feels like a betrayal of trust in a system that should have emerged fair after Hasina’s fall
The opacity surrounding intelligence reports for the recruitment phase of first-class government jobs through the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) has created a wave of discontent this year.
The 43rd BCS candidates waited several years to finally embark on their jobs, but after two different phases of intelligence scrutiny, about 227 candidates were deprived of government jobs. Some candidates who passed intelligence scrutiny in the first phase were disqualified in the second report.
After the fall of the Awami League, there has been concern about the fallen regime's alleged preferential recruitment of Chhatra League affiliated candidates, and this warranted investigation.
But after final reports came in, social media flooded with allegations of how candidates who even participated in the anti-Hasina movement were dropped. Meanwhile, there have also been allegations of Chhatra League affiliated candidates surviving the scrutiny.
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This naturally gives rise to the question of how efficiently the intelligence reports were conducted in the first place? Or what were the criteria used to deem qualified candidates eligible for public service?
Furthermore, this also put a government that came to power after a national uprising in poor light, itself was based on ensuring merit over quota and the end to discrimination.
"BCS cadres should be selected based on merit, not intelligence report. Why would intelligence be a factor? Unless a candidate is a convicted criminal, it shouldn't be a problem. It is sad if the system in this country goes on the same way as before," said Professor Abdul Mannan of Government and Politics at Jahangirnagar University.
The BCS examination process is a very competitive, grueling and time-consuming one, comprising a rigorous preliminary exam, a comprehensive written test, and a detailed viva voce. Thousands of aspirants spend years preparing for it.
"So far, what I have seen is perhaps two different intelligence agencies filing the reports and the findings are conflicting. One name cleared by one agency is then not cleared by the other. There is a lack of coordination here. Only the candidates with criminal charges against them can be reviewed but dropping candidates based on anything else is completely unfair."
So, when the state drops candidates who pass through all these phases based on a mere intelligence report, the standard criterion of which is unknown, it raises pressing questions about the fairness and transparency of the process and whether such reports should outweigh a candidate's demonstrated qualifications.
The contradictory intelligence reports within one BCS batch also raises questions whether candidates are informed of the allegations raised against them? Are they given an opportunity to respond to allegations or clarifications on controversial findings?
According to Muhammed Nurul Huda, former inspector general of Bangladesh Police, for intelligence reports, what is investigated is whether the candidates are involved in anti-state or destructive activities.
"It is imperative that such people are not employed in government jobs. But the problem is, in our country, the state and the government are intertwined. There were no such practices even in the Pakistan period. Back then, those who were involved in Chhatra Union or communist politics did not face problems in joining government jobs."
He added that to ensure fairness in the process, it is the politicians who have to change themselves first.
Professor Sadik Hasan of Public Administration at Dhaka University finds dropping candidates only based on intelligence reports to be unfair after they pass all phases of the examination.
"Yes, background checks are necessary. But that should have some definite criteria," Professor Hasan said. "For example, whether candidates have criminal charges against them or allegations of involvement in conspiracies against the state — not the government. In such cases, opinions can be based on intelligence reports.
"But for many years, we have seen that intelligence reports target candidates from a political background different to that of the ruling party. And the officials who prepare intelligence reports often prepare them based on mere searches in their neighbourhoods. They don't always investigate properly," he added.
"So far, what I have seen is perhaps two different intelligence agencies filing the reports and the findings are conflicting. One name cleared by one agency is then not cleared by the other. There is a lack of coordination here. Only the candidates with criminal charges against them can be reviewed but dropping candidates based on anything else is completely unfair," he added.
For many, this year's development feels like a betrayal of trust in a system that should have emerged fair after Hasina's fall. And the fallout from this practice extends beyond the affected individuals to their families and communities. Candidates invest significant time, money, and emotional energy into preparing for the BCS.
This also exacerbates the perception that the recruitment process is still subject to political interference or favouritism. Such sentiments erode public trust in institutions which the current government is supposed to rebuild after Hasina damaged them.
Calls for limiting the scope of intelligence reports in recruitment, publishing clear guidelines on the scope and purpose of intelligence reports, and introduction of oversight mechanisms to address the allegations raised by intelligence bodies are growing louder.
"The students study really hard for BCS. Their family's political background, whether BNP, Awami League or Jamaat should not be a determinant in this process," said Professor Abdul Mannan.
Professor Sadik Hasan said, "We know other governments do these sorts of things, but we cannot expect this from an interim government — but that is what we are seeing, and on a larger scale.
