LALMONIRHAT — Lalmonirhat’s Kaliganj upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), Shamima Akhtar Jahan, has been accused of getting into an argument with the organizer of an event over being addressed as “apu,” the Bengali word for elder sister. The incident has sparked widespread discussion and criticism on social media.
The Royal Football Academy of Kaliganj upazila recently organized a picnic to mark its 10th anniversary. As the event ran late and the time was nearing midnight, the UNO called Meherban Mithu, vice president of the academy, to ask about the gathering.
Mithu told her on the phone that the event was running late because a member of the Royal Football Academy was being honored after qualifying for Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan (BKSP), the country’s sports education institute. While explaining the situation, he said, “It will end soon, apu.” The UNO then reacted angrily to being addressed as “apu,” according to the complaint.
In part of the phone conversation, the UNO was heard saying, “I am not your apu — for your kind information. When you sought permission, it was not supposed to be this late. Did you come to seek permission for this event?” Mithu said he had not been present in person when permission was sought. He later expressed regret over the UNO’s stern attitude, and the event was quickly ended.
After the incident, the matter spread on social media and sparked widespread discussion. Netizens were divided in their reactions.
Many commented that there is no constitutional requirement to address government officials as “sir” or “madam” and that “apu” is a respectful form of address. Others, however, said administrative discipline should also be taken seriously.
Meherban Mithu, vice president of the Royal Football Academy, said, “Because the event ran past the scheduled time, I politely expressed regret and addressed her as ‘apu.’ But I did not think she would get angry. The matter has hurt all of us.”
UNO Shamima Akhtar Jahan denied the allegation, saying, “I did not get angry because she called me apu. The event was going on late into the night, so I asked them to stop it. The matter is being presented in a distorted way.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report