Staff Reporter :
As part of the ongoing movement to restore the autonomy of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and to implement its 11-point demand, scientists, officials, and employees held a mass rally on Wednesday at the Commission’s head office. Participants from BAEC institutions in Dhaka and Savar gathered in protest against what they described as increasing interference and authoritarian behavior from the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The movement, which began on April 22, has included a range of peaceful actions—continuous sit-ins, public signature campaigns, wearing black badges, and a major step on May 4, when a memorandum signed by 1,613 individuals was submitted to the Honorable Chief Advisor. The memorandum detailed the prevailing issues within the Commission and appealed for direct intervention.
Despite the memorandum being forwarded to the Ministry of Science and Technology by the Principal Secretary to the Chief Advisor on May 14, no response or action has been taken so far. This perceived inaction has deepened frustration among the Commission’s personnel and raised concern among members of the wider scientific community.
Adding to the unrest, the Ministry of Finance, in a letter dated May 13, 2025, informed the Commission that financial assistance for BAPSHOK (a key project or body within the Commission) would be suspended in the FY2025–26 if not incorporated into the IBUS system. Furthermore, the Commission has been reportedly threatened with the withdrawal of funding for critical operations, including the mandatory radioactivity testing of imported food products—a cornerstone of public health safety. Efforts are also reportedly underway to discontinue low-cost ultrasound services provided by the Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences division.
These moves have been interpreted by scientists and employees as efforts to financially weaken the Commission and diminish its capacity to serve the public. The resulting anger and discontent were clearly visible at the rally.
Protesters expressed concern that, instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue to resolve the crisis, the Ministry’s continued provocations risk transforming a peaceful, structured movement into a broader anti-government demonstration. They emphasized that the intention of the protest is not political but rather a desperate call to protect the autonomy and integrity of the nation’s premier research institution.
In a statement issued during the rally, organizers affirmed that the movement would persist until the 11-point demand is fully implemented. They warned that if the government fails to respond, stricter actions would be taken in the coming days.
