Featured post

“We Have Not Come to Bid Farewell—Osman Hadi Will Live in the Hearts of All Bangladeshis”

Posted by
Chief Adviser at Janazah “We Have Not Come to Bid Farewell—Osman Hadi Will Live in the Hearts of All Bangladeshis” Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said, “Brave Osman Hadi, we have not come here to bid you farewell. You live within our hearts, and as long as Bangladesh exists, you will remain in the hearts of all Bangladeshis—no one can erase that.” He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking ahead of the janazah of Inqilab Mancha Convener Sharif Osman bin Hadi at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The chief adviser said, “Dear Hadi, we have not come today to say goodbye; we have come to make a promise to you—that we will fulfill what you stood for.” He added that people across the country have praised Hadi’s political vision, which must remain alive in everyone’s minds and be followed. Professor Yunus further said that Hadi left behind a mantra the nation will never forget— ‘Chiro Unnata Momo Shir’ (Ever Upright Is My Head). “That head will never bow. We m...
0

Police Uniform Finalized Through Secret Vote; Color Sparks Discontent

Posted by

 


Police Uniform Finalized Through Secret Vote; Color Sparks Discontent

Bangladesh Police members are set to don a new uniform with a new colour soon, as part of ongoing reform measures. The move to change the police attire is already being implemented, with the Police Headquarters recently instructing all units via an official letter to collect the new materials from the central Rajarbagh clothing depot.

However, the new colour has stirred mixed reactions within the force. Many officers have described it as a “reflection of poor taste,” expressing disappointment over what they call an “aesthetically unappealing choice.”

Background of the Change

After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year during the student–public uprising, demands grew for police reform, including a change in uniform. Following that, the colours for the police, RAB, and Ansar uniforms were selected: iron grey for the police, olive green for RAB, and golden wheat for Ansar.

Headquarters’ Directive

In a letter dated October 28, signed by Additional DIG (Logistics) Sarowar Jahan, the Police Headquarters instructed relevant units to collect the new uniform materials by November 2. The letter also noted that after receiving the fabric, the uniforms should be tailored at designated facilities.

Field-Level Reaction

Interviews with several officers and constables from Dhaka Metropolitan Police and various districts on October 29 revealed that most members find the new colour “tasteless and inappropriate.”
A police officer in Narsingdi remarked, “This colour is a complete failure of taste. If DIGs or SPs were consulted, no one would have approved it.”
A Gazipur officer said, “It looks mismatched. No one in my station likes it.”
Another from Dhaka noted, “This awkward shade has been imposed on us. A review of international police uniforms could easily have yielded better options.”
A Rajarbagh officer added, “You’ll barely find ten members here who actually like the colour.”
One senior officer commented, “Had the government sought opinions from range-level members, not a single vote would have gone in favour of this colour.”
An officer from Dhaka Railway Police observed, “Now we look like private security guards. I don’t know who finalised this shade. And for officers with darker skin tones, it makes them almost invisible!”

Government’s Explanation

On January 20, after a meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Council, Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the decision to change the police uniform was part of broader post-uprising reforms to reshape the force’s image and mindset.
He confirmed that the police would adopt an iron-grey uniform, RAB olive green, and Ansar golden wheat.

The Selection Process

The Police Headquarters formed a 10-member committee to review and redesign uniforms and logos. The team studied uniforms from 10–15 developed countries and tested 18 styles before narrowing them down to five colours. The final choice was made through a secret ballot at the Advisory Council meeting.
The police logo has also been redesigned — replacing the boat symbol with motifs of a shapla (water lily), paddy, and wheat.

Headquarters’ Latest Statement

On October 30, AIG (Media & PR) AHM Shahadat Hossain said that, unlike before, all district and metropolitan units will now have the same uniform colour. The rollout will begin on November 15 for DMP and other metropolitan units, while districts will follow gradually.

RAB and Ansar Update

RAB spokesperson Wing Commander M Z M Entekhad Chowdhury said their new olive uniform was presented to the ministry in January but has not progressed since.
Meanwhile, Ansar’s Deputy Director (PR) Md. Ashikuzzaman said the new uniform for Ansar members “has yet to be finalised.”

Comments

Post a Comment