At a Cub Scouts holiday event in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat, certificates, crests, and awards signed by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina were presented, sparking criticism from various quarters.
District Scouts President and Administrator HM Rakib Haider described the incident as "an oversight."
The event took place on Saturday and concluded with the distribution of certificates by HM Rakib Haider.
Participants included 120 primary school Cub Scout teams from the upazila, who engaged in various games, educational training, and humanitarian activities, culminating in a prize distribution.
Following the event, teacher Obaidur Rahman raised concerns about the former prime minister's signature on the certificates, expressing his disapproval on Facebook.
He wrote: "The certificates and crests awarded today (Saturday) by Aditmari Upazila Scouts are from the authoritarian era. Look at the signature. I protest this."
In response, Upazila Scouts President and UNO Nur-e-Elahi said: "We are looking into the matter and will take appropriate action."
District Commissioner Rakib Haider said: "The certificates bearing the former prime minister’s signature were not immediately noticed. They will be withdrawn. After withdrawal, we will inform higher authorities and act according to their decision."
A scout assistant commissioner clarified that the certificates date back to 2016, 2018, and 2019, signed by the then-prime minister by virtue of her position. “We have received a verbal directive for their retrieval, and we will take them back."