The Bangladesh government's attempt at moral policing akin to the Taliban has backfired. The nation's central bank issued an order that prohibited female officers from wearing short dresses, sleeveless tops, and leggings in the office.
Three days ago, Bangladesh's central bank advised female staff to dress 'modestly and professionally' when coming to work. The HR department warned that failure to comply could lead to disciplinary action, yet a social media storm erupted in response.
People began questioning the Bangladesh Bank Management on Facebook and other platforms about the definition of 'modest and professional' attire. The backlash was so intense that the bank rescinded its decision. Many compared the order to that of the Taliban.
The overturned directive required male employees to wear long or half-sleeved formal shirts, formal pants, and shoes, disallowing jeans and fancy pajamas.
The guidelines for women mandated wearing sarees, salwar-kameez, or any other simple, modest, and professional attire, coupled with a simple headscarf or hijab. They were permitted to wear formal sandals or shoes.
Women were prohibited from wearing short sleeves or loose-fitting long dresses and leggings under the directive.
The instruction specified that, "All employees across levels should dress in a manner befitting the country's social norms and traditions."
Criticism arose as users on platforms like X questioned if the Islamic agenda was behind this restrictive dress code, especially when the bank governor's daughter wore whatever she liked.
Source: aajtak
Moreover, every department was directed to appoint an officer to oversee compliance with the dress code guidelines.
Some compared these regulations to the Taliban diktats in Afghanistan, where women are ordered to cover from head to toe in public.
Source: aajtak
One user tweeted, "A vigilant tyrant governing in this new Taliban era."
Fawzia Muslim, president of the Bangladesh Women's Council, told local media that such a directive is unprecedented. She expressed, "A specific cultural milieu is being shaped, and this directive reflects that effort."
In the chaos of the social media reactions, Bangladesh Bank withdrew the directive on Thursday. Spokesman Arif Hussain Khan stated that, "This circular is a mere recommendation. There is no obligation regarding hijab or burqa."
Amidst the controversy, an ordinance passed Wednesday night further angered citizens by proposing action against protesting employees.
