The Bangladesh Mohila Krira Sangstha (BMKS) has called for an independent investigation into the cancellation of a Tk 20 crore state grant allocated for the development of women’s sports in Bangladesh, and has appealed directly to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to restore the funds immediately.
BMKS president Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla made the demands at a press conference at the federation’s Dhanmondi office on Saturday, alleging that the grant, held as fixed deposits at Sonali Bank, was withdrawn and returned to a government fund without any prior notice to the organisation.
“By taking away this support, we have been economically paralysed and are now facing financial uncertainty,” Shukla said.
The federation received Tk 10 crore from the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund in April 2022 and a further Tk 10 crore in February 2024, bringing the total to Tk 20 crore. Both amounts were deposited as fixed deposits at Sonali Bank’s Prime Minister’s Office Corporate Branch.
Under the terms of the allocation, 80 per cent of the interest generated from the deposits was to be spent on women’s sports development, while the remaining 20 per cent was to be added to the principal as seed money. The federation had been receiving quarterly interest payments at a rate of 5.5 per cent, with total interest earnings reaching Tk 1.176 crore over the course of the arrangement.
Interest payments continued after the fall of the previous government in August 2024, with the final payment received in August 2025. After the current ad hoc committee assumed responsibility in October 2025, payments stopped entirely. When the federation’s accountant wrote to Sonali Bank in December 2025 seeking clarification, the bank neither responded in writing nor provided a satisfactory explanation during in-person visits.
On 6 May 2026, the bank verbally informed the federation that the grant had been revoked by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and the funds returned to the Chief Adviser’s Relief and Welfare Fund.
Shukla was direct in laying out what she believes happened. “Based on reliable information, following an order signed by then Principal Secretary Mohammad Sirajuddin Miah, Sonali Bank encashed the fixed deposits and returned the money to the Chief Adviser’s Relief and Welfare Fund,” she said.
She clarified that the money was not transferred to any individual or private institution but was absorbed back into a government fund. She also stated that the original grant agreement contained no clause permitting the funds to be reclaimed in this manner.
The signatories to the two fixed deposit accounts were the federation’s then-president Mahbub Ara Gini, currently in prison, general secretary Engineer Feoza Karim Nelly and treasurer Rowshan Akhter Chobi.
Shukla drew attention to the broader damage caused by the withdrawal, emphasising the federation’s 54-year role in promoting women’s sporting opportunities across Bangladesh since its founding in 1972.
“It is deeply unfortunate that this has happened to an organisation that has been working for 54 years to create sporting opportunities for women and girls in Bangladesh. The organisation works tirelessly at the grassroots level to identify talent, provide training and support various federations. We depend on the dividends from these fixed deposits to meet our operating costs. By taking away this support, we have been economically paralysed,” she said.
She also directed pointed criticism at former Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, noting the contrast between his public advocacy for women’s empowerment and the decision taken under his administration.
“Professor Yunus himself is the father of two daughters. He claims to have worked throughout his life for women’s economic freedom and empowerment. A woman also shared his Nobel Prize. Yet during his administration, the grant allocated for women’s sports in Bangladesh was taken away. This incident has left us shocked, angered and hurt,” Shukla said.
Shukla concluded the press conference with a direct appeal to the country’s leadership and wider public.
“We earnestly appeal to the government, especially to the Prime Minister, to return this Tk 20 crore state grant to us. The fund, which has reportedly been merged into the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund, should be reallocated to the federation. We also seek the support and cooperation of sports-loving citizens, media workers and all stakeholders to help preserve this long-standing institution with dignity,” she said.
The federation has asked the Sports Ministry and State Minister Aminul Haque to assist in resolving the matter. No response from the government had been issued at the time of the press conference.
