Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith yesterday apologised for remarks made about public university teachers demonstrating against the proposed Eighth National Pay Scale.
“I believe the comment was grossly offensive. It indeed defamed them. I am sorry for it and I withdraw my statement,” he said yesterday at a media briefing in Sylhet.
His remarks sparked a strongly worded denunciation from the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Associations and a 24-hour ultimatum for the minister to apologise.
Muhith, at a press briefing on Tuesday, had said public university teachers, who are among the most educated in the country, were taking a stand against the pay scale due to their lack of knowledge.
The misunderstanding was created when the finance minister used a Bangla phrase meaning “ignorant” rather than “uninformed.”
FBUTA denounced the remarks as “rude” and “uncalled for.”
While addressing a press conference at the Sylhet Circuit House yesterday, the minister admitted that he should have been more careful and presented a two-page statement of explanation.
Muhith said he did not make the remarks intentionally, adding that it was a misunderstanding.
The finance minister added that it was not his intention to disrespect the teachers.
