Bangladesh MP hired 8 lookalikes to give her BA exams
What's the story
While politicians in India straight-up lie about their educational qualifications, a lawmaker in Bangladesh chose a different route to attain a degree. Tamanna Nusrat Bubly, a Member of Parliament from the ruling Awami League party, stands accused of hiring lookalikes to appear for examinations on her behalf. Reportedly, Bubly has since been expelled from the university. Here are more details.
Revelation
Private broadcaster catches MP's proxy during exams on video
Bubly had enrolled herself at the Bangladesh Open University (BOU) for a Bachelor of Arts course. However, when private Bangladeshi broadcaster Nagorik TV barged into an examination center at Narsingdi Government College, they only found a proxy candidate allegedly appearing on behalf of the MP. Nagorik TV's conversation with the alleged proxy was captured on a video that was shared on Friday.
Details
Bubly hired 8 women for 13 exams: Report
Thus far, the university has held thirteen examinations in the first four semesters of the BA course, however, MP Bubly has not appeared for even a single test, according to the Bangladeshi English-language publication Daily Sun. Reportedly, the MP hired as many as eight women students to appear for the tests on her behalf instead. Bubly is yet to respond to this shocking revelation.
Action
University expels Bubly; forms committee to probe matter
Meanwhile, BOU has expelled Bubly, barring her from future examinations. Reportedly, a four-member committee was formed on Sunday to probe the matter and Bubly was issued a show-cause notice. The panel will submit its report within three days. If found guilty, the university will take legal action against Bubly, the proxies and the college authorities, BOU vice-chancellor Prof MA Mannan told Daily Sun.
Quote
Proxy students were protected by MP's musclemen: College official
Mannan told AFP, "We expelled her because she has committed a crime. A crime is a crime." He added, "She will never be able to get admitted here again." A college official told the news agency, "The proxy students were protected by the MP's musclemen when they sat for tests. Everybody knew but nobody uttered a word because she's from a very influential family."
History
Bubly was elected Narsingdi MP last year
Bubly was elected to the Parliament from the Narsingdi seat, reserved for women, last year. As per affidavits submitted to the Election Commission (EC), the MP has cleared Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. Thereafter, she enrolled herself at BOU for higher education. Bubly is the widow of former Narsingdi municipality mayor Lokman Hossain, who was shot dead in 2011.