People will find your alternative, warns Hasnat to secretariat employees

Secretariat employees should not assume they are irreplaceable, Hasnat Abdullah has said, warning of public backlash if the ongoing administrative reforms are disrupted.

Hasnat, the chief coordinator (south) of the National Citizen Party or NCP, made the remark while speaking to journalists outside Biplob Udyan at Sholashahar Gate No 2 in Chattogram today before launching a road show towards the district's northern upazilas.

Employees of the secretariat have been protesting for a third consecutive day against the approval of the Government Jobs (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

"During the July uprising, you wore black badges in support of Sheikh Hasina," Hasnat said.

"Now you are threatening not to let the offices function. But you did not question Sheikh Hasina's authority, nor did anyone resign in protest."

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Hasnat said, "If the 'fascist' Awami League regime had remained in power, you would have gone back to flattering them and resumed your work," he said.

He warned the protesting bureaucrats, "If you threaten this government after August 5 and stand in the way of reforms, remember — the people will find your alternative."

Hasnat asked, "Did any secretary, bureaucrat or official resign before August 5? Even when citizens were being shot dead in the streets, did any one of you step down? But now that this government has been formed, you are creating barriers instead of cooperating."

He said it would be "very bad" for the country if the government was held hostage in this way.

"So I urge you to cooperate with the government and the reform process. If you have any reservations, settle them internally and move forward," Hasnat said.