The Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council yesterday announced a protest programme against the suspension of several officials from various government cadres over their social media activities.

They have decided to observe a full-day work abstention today.

Besides, from 10:30am to 11:30am, officials will stand in front of their offices wearing black badges and holding banners, the organisation said in a press release signed by its Coordinator Mohammad Omar Faruq Dewan.

The statement alleged that 13 officials from different cadres had been suspended for minor reasons, such as Facebook posts, while no action was taken against members of the administration cadre for similar activities.

"The administration cadre has exploited the discriminatory state system to suppress officials from the 25 other cadres," the organisation claimed.

Currently, 26 different cadres serve in government positions, with the administration cadre reportedly enjoying the most privileges.

This has long been a source of discontent among officials from the other cadres, the statement added.

Tensions between the administration cadre and others have intensified following recommendations from the Public Administration Reform Commission, formed after the mass uprising. The issue has also fueled heated exchanges on social media, leading to the recent suspensions.