A controversial Facebook post by Dr. Taslimul Arefin, Assistant Director (Current Charge) of the 250-bed Pabna General Hospital, has triggered widespread discussion and criticism. The post followed remarks made by State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, Mir Shahe Alam, expressing personal reservations about both husbands and wives holding jobs.
In his social media post, Dr. Arefin wrote, "How big of a fool can a person be to say that I don't like husbands and wives working." However, Dr. Arefin has claimed that his comment was not directed at the State Minister's statement, but rather written in response to views expressed by one of his relatives regarding working couples.
According to relevant sources, on Tuesday morning (November 10), State Minister Mir Shahe Alam served as the chief guest at an orientation and training course for newly appointed Assistant Engineers of LGED, held at the Kamrul Islam Siddique Auditorium of the LGED Building in Agargaon, Dhaka.
Addressing the event, the State Minister stated, "I personally do not prefer both husband and wife having jobs. The main reason for this is its direct impact on children."
He further elaborated, "It is not that women are born solely to raise children. Others can also raise children, but growing up under the close shadow of parents creates a different kind of psychological perception and set of values."
To prevent media distortion, Minister Mir Shahe Alam added, "I have no objection if both people in the same family have jobs, but it is entirely my personal opinion that having one person employed is better for a family."
**
Meanwhile, on Wednesday (November 11) morning, Dr. Taslimul Arefin—serving as the current Assistant Director of the 250-bed Pabna General Hospital and District Convenor of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB)—posted on his personal Facebook ID: "How big of a fool can a person be to say that I don't like husbands and wives working."**
Read next Nutritional deficiency in BrSTU hall meals; students turning away from diningShortly afterward, he shared a follow-up post stating: "With proper planning and management, a husband and wife having jobs is not a barrier to child-rearing. Rather, having the capacity to work and choosing not to work is an injustice toward the country."
Although Dr. Arefin did not mention the State Minister by name in his posts, many perceived it as a pointed critique. Following the viral circulation of the posts across social media, mixed reactions emerged among various circles.
Several physicians in Pabna, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed out that Dr. Arefin's wife, Dr. Sharmin Khatun Poly, is also a Junior Consultant in the Gynecology Department of the same hospital, suggesting his reaction stemmed from their dual-career household.
Advocate Masudur Rahman Masud Khandaker, Member Secretary of the Pabna District BNP, stated, "I do not want to make any comment regarding such a post. Everyone has expressed their views in their own way. This is a personal matter and does not fall under any constitutional conditions."
When contacted for a response, Dr. Taslimul Arefin told this correspondent, "A relative of mine was talking to me about husbands and wives having jobs. I simply made the Facebook post in response to that conversation. Why would I post in reaction to the State Minister's remarks? Facebook is a space to share personal feelings, and I shared mine. I did not hint at or refer to anyone. This could be a coincidence. Can't multiple people express the same thought at the same time globally?"
Several former and current government officials, speaking anonymously, argued that given his position as a top leader of a pro-government professional organization (DAB) and his role as a responsible official in a government institution, it is improper for him to publicly criticize statements made by a government minister or state minister.
Furthermore, hospital sources reported various ongoing discussions regarding his administrative titles, noting that since assuming charge following the political transition, he has reportedly omitted the word "current charge" (chalti dayitto) from his office nameplate, table nameplate, official seals, and documents. Similar concerns were raised regarding his wife, Dr. Sharmin Khatun Poly, who reportedly uses the designation of Assistant Professor on her pads and nameplates despite holding the post of Junior Consultant.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by M S Rahman, Staff Reporter.Pabna • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
