Claims circulated in social media that Rezaul Karim Rony has been appointed to Bangladesh Television (BTV) remain unsubstantiated so far, with officials saying they have no knowledge of such an appointment. 

However, multiple sources inside the state broadcaster have confirmed to Daily Waadaa that Rony has been given an office beside the director general's room.

The room previously belonged to BTV's director of administration, according to the sources. They said Rony is regularly seen inside the BTV building and uses the room allocated to him.

However, the sources said they were unaware of any formal appointment, recruitment order or official designation authorising his presence.

The controversy began after a Facebook account named Ahnaf Tamid posted a photograph of a nameplate, claiming Rony had been given an office adjacent to BTV Director General Syeda Kazi Jesin's office.

The post alleged that the arrangement had been concealed from the government.

It quickly circulated across Facebook, prompting questions about Rony's alleged appointment and demands for an official explanation.

What does BTV say?

Daily Waadaa contacted Asifa Siddika, assistant director (administration) and coordination officer at the BTV director general's office, to verify the claim.

Siddika said she had no knowledge of Rony joining the office.

Initially surprised by the allegation, she reiterated that she was unaware of any such appointment after being informed that the inquiry was part of a fact-check.

BTV Assistant Director (Administration) Mohammad Mozammel gave a similar response.

He said he had no information about Rony being recruited or appointed to the broadcaster.

Asked whether BTV would take legal action if false information about the director general's office was being circulated, Mozammel said that decision rested with the DG's office.

However, multiple sources within BTV told Daily Waadaa that Rony had been allocated the room previously occupied by the director of administration.

They said he regularly visits the broadcaster and sits in the room, although they were unaware of any official appointment.

The distinction is important. Having an office at BTV does not necessarily mean holding a formal position there.

Nevertheless, the arrangement raises questions about who authorised the allocation, on what basis the room was provided and what responsibilities, if any, Rony performs at the public broadcaster.

Waadaa has not obtained an appointment letter or an official order authorising the allocation.

What does Rony say?

Contacted by Waadaa on Sunday evening, Rony categorically denied joining BTV.

He accused Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Bangladesh Chhatra Shibir of spreading the allegation.

Daily Waadaa could not independently establish who was behind the viral claims.

Rony also questioned why he would accept a position at the BTV director general's office when, according to him, he had previously declined an offer to become a minister in a BNP government.

That claim could not be independently verified.

Rejecting the significance of the circulating nameplate photograph, Rony challenged those making the allegation to produce an official appointment letter.

He described the controversy as an attempt to smear his reputation on social media.

While Rony's denial and the statements from BTV officials leave the alleged appointment unverified, accounts from multiple insiders indicate that he has been using an office inside the broadcaster.

BTV management has yet to publicly clarify why the room was allocated, who approved the arrangement or whether Rony holds any formal or informal responsibilities there.

--