Photo: Daily Messenger
Officials of the Bangladesh Scouts, an institution dedicated to ethical and disciplined education for children, are facing accusations of involvement in an illicit act during the 25th Jamboree in South Korea.
It has been alleged that they illegally obtained 6,000 kg of rice and 1,500 kg of spices from Bangladesh and sold them afterwards in South Korea during the August 1-12 tour last year.
Reports indicate that a substantial amount of money was misappropriated through the sale of this rice, fetching a hefty Tk 1200 per kg. Investigations reveal that 750 members of the Bangladesh Scouts participated in the Korea Jamboree, with each member being compelled to carry 5 kg of rice and 2 kg of spices. Accordingly, 3,750 kg of rice were purportedly brought through the members, while the remaining quantity was transported via plane cargo.
Upon arrival in Korea, the rice and spices were purportedly sold in separate arrangements. The contingent leader for this jamboree was National commissioner (International) Mahmudul Haque, with National commissioner (CD) Kazi Nazmul Haque serving as the deputy contingent leader.
According to testimonies from several members who participated in the Korea Jamboree held from August 1 to 12, 2023, it has come to light that they were compelled to carry 5 kg of rice and 2 kg of spices abroad. Allegedly, they were given the rice with a directive: "You have to carry it in your contingent bag. If you don't, your career will suffer."
Participants complied with this directive, carrying the rice in their luggage without incurring transportation costs. Upon arrival in South Korea, the rice and spices were reportedly gathered and sold in local food houses. It is alleged that individuals responsible for food management, including Saiful Islam (Director, Development), were involved in the sale. However, when approached by the Daily Messenger, Saiful Islam denied involvement in the sale process.
Saiful Islam told The Daily Messenger, "I also took 5 kg of rice, and everyone else did too. But I am not involved in the process of selling the rice. The high officials have done this. I worked with the food house."
When attempts were made to reach Mahmudul Haque via phone call, there was no response. However, it was noted that he actively viewed messages on WhatsApp but did not engage in any conversation.
The correspondent, after introducing himself, inquired about the distribution of 5 kg of rice to each of the 750 participants in the Korea Jamboree. Although the message was seen, no response was given. Subsequently, the reporter questioned whether the rice was taken abroad and sold, which would contradict the ethos and ideals of the Scouts organisation, but still there was no response from Mahmudul Haque.
Regarding allegations of Mahmudul Haque travelling abroad twice in defiance of government decisions, he also chose not to address the matter.
In contrast, Deputy Contingent Leader Kazi Nazmul Haque did respond to queries posed by The Daily Messenger. When asked about the purpose of each member taking 5 kg of rice to the Korea Jamboree and the subsequent sale of the rice in South Korea, Naju said, "The rice was taken to run the food house. Everyone took 5 kg of rice; I also took it myself." However, he declined to provide any further information regarding the matter.
Pressed further about his knowledge as Deputy Contingent Leader regarding the sale of rice, Naju responded by mentioning a committee overseeing the food house, indicating that decisions regarding the rice were made by that committee. He redirected inquiries to Abdullah Al Mamun, identified as the manager of the food house.
Upon contacting Abdullah Al Mamun, he denied being in charge of the food house management and suggested the correspondent visit their office for further inquiries.
When this correspondent asked about each member's requirement to carry 5 kg of rice to the Korea Jamboree, especially in light of reports indicating that the rice was subsequently sold upon arrival in South Korea, Bangladesh Scouts Executive Director (Additional Duties) Unu Ching Marma deferred responsibility and told The Daily Messenger, "Jamboree has a committee; what they have taken and what they have not taken depends on the decision of the committee, of which I have no idea."
Further investigation reveals that the individuals responsible for managing the event have failed to submit the accounts for the Korea Jamboree within the specified timeframe. However, the allegation is not isolated, as similar issues were encountered with the accounts of the previous Portugal Jamboree, where Nazmul Haque Naju served as the contingent leader.
Former Director General of the Food Directorate, Badrul Hasan, emphasised that according to government regulations, there is no provision for taking or exporting rice outside the country. He described the coercion of scout members to carry rice as criminal activity, suggesting that it was carried out systematically.
Moreover, Hasan expressed deep disappointment, noting that these incidents bring shame upon institutions tasked with nurturing the mental, intellectual, and ethical development of children.
The participation of Mahmudul Haque alongside Jubayer Yusuf, the former Scout leader of Dhaka Metropolitan Scouts who was expelled due to corruption, in a visit to the Korea Jamboree is a highly unusual occurrence within the scouting community.
Furthermore, serious allegations have emerged regarding corruption amounting to Tk 1 crore and 50 lakh in the procurement of airfare tickets for the Korea trip. Shockingly, an estimated Tk 10 crore in expenses for this journey remain unaccounted for, with the current committee's term already expired. There's a growing concern that those responsible for this financial mismanagement may evade accountability, particularly since the committee's tenure has concluded.
Earlier, allegations of rampant financial misconducts and corruptions surfaced implicating none other than the National Commissioner of the Bangladesh Scouts Kazi Nazmul Haque.
Under Nazmul's leadership, the organisation was rocked by accusations involving two individuals sent abroad to represent Bangladesh at the 24th World Scout Jamboree in Portugal. Shockingly, there were no complaints or concerns raised about their behavior during their participation in the Jamboree between August 1 and 7, 2022.
Messenger/Howlader
