Poet and writer Farhad Mazhar on Wednesday questioned why corruption by bureaucrats in Bangladesh is not being investigated or revealed.

Speaking at a seminar titled "Prospects, Challenges, and Ways Forward for Nuclear Science Research in Bangladesh" at the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission in Agargaon, he drew attention to what he described as the growing dominance and unaccountability of the bureaucracy.

Calling for technological advancement in human resource development, Mazhar said, “Scientists need to be empowered to conduct research. The state must recognise the necessity of popular sovereignty.”

Criticising the role of bureaucrats, he remarked, “The bureaucracy in Bangladesh is like cancer—it must be removed.” He further questioned the practical applications of PhD degrees pursued abroad by government officials using public funds. “If gaining an understanding of administration requires a PhD, they can do it at our local universities,” he added.

Highlighting the essence of the July mass uprising, Mazhar said it was about returning power to the people. “The state must guarantee the people the freedom to act independently,” he emphasised.

Mazhar clarified that his criticism is not targeted at any individual but at the bureaucratic system as a whole.

“Foreign powers now maintain control over the country through the bureaucracy,” he said, noting that while military intervention was visible in political transitions until the 1980s, today international agencies and institutions play that role more discreetly.

He alleged that many bureaucrats are ready to sign off on anything if their families are provided with travel tickets abroad.

Saying that “The state must respect popular sovereignty,” Mazhar said “I don’t know how safe the country is in the hands of the Chief Adviser, because no institution has been developed to make the Chief Adviser accountable to the people.”