Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Minister of Education and of Primary and Mass Education, has explained the word “transgender” he used at an event on 28 October. On Friday, 30 October, he said he had meant to say “third gender” (tritiyo lingo) and had used the word “transgender” unintentionally while speaking. He made the statement in a clarification issued by the Ministry of Education and in a Facebook post.
On Wednesday, 28 October, speaking as chief guest at a programme marking Bangladesh Open University’s 34th founding anniversary, the minister had said:
“This needs more campaigning, because this society is a developing society. We are living in a global village. Everybody knows what is going on in other countries and other stages. We can no longer remain in taboo.”
The remark drew criticism.
In his clarification, the minister said a third-gender student had earned a degree at the event. Welcoming that achievement, he had spoken about encouraging third-gender people to take part in education. He said many of them face neglect, deprivation and negative attitudes in society, and that their coming forward in education by overcoming these barriers was the main point of his speech.
In the post, the minister wrote:
“I want to correct a word used in my speech at a recent event and to clarify the context of my remarks.
At the event that day, a third-gender student earned a degree. Welcoming this achievement, I spoke about encouraging third-gender people to take part in education. Many of them face neglect, deprivation and negative attitudes in society. Their coming forward in education by overcoming these barriers was the main point of my speech.
While speaking, I unintentionally used the word ‘transgender’ when referring to ‘third gender’. The word I intended here was ‘third gender’.
I have respect for the religious values and sentiments of the people of the country. The purpose of my speech that day was to encourage educational opportunities for third-gender people and their academic achievements.”
References
- Star News — Report on the minister saying he unintentionally used “transgender” while referring to “third gender”, 30 October 2026.
Read the Star News report - The Business Standard — Report on the Education Ministry’s clarification that the main purpose of his remark was to encourage third-gender education, 30 October 2026.
Read the TBS report - Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) — News flash on the minister’s clarification that his remark aimed to encourage third-gender education, 30 October 2026.
Read the BSS report - The Financial Express — Report on the minister’s clarification that his remark aimed to encourage third-gender education, 30 October 2026.
Read the Financial Express report - Daily Sun — Report on the minister saying he mistakenly used “transgender” while referring to “third gender”, 30 October 2026.
Read the Daily Sun report - Bangladesh Pratidin (English) — Report on the minister’s clarification of his remarks on third-gender participation in education, 30 October 2026.
Read the Bangladesh Pratidin report - Jugantor — Report on the minister saying he unintentionally said “transgender” while meaning “third gender”, 30 October 2026.
Read the Jugantor report - Kalbela — Report on the minister’s explanation of his use of the word “transgender”, 30 October 2026.
Read the Kalbela report - Daily Amar Desh — Report on the minister’s explanation of his use of the word “transgender”, 30 October 2026.
Read the Daily Amar Desh report - Bangladesh Bulletin — Report on the minister’s clarification, 30 October 2026.
Read the Bangladesh Bulletin report - Dhaka Times 24 — Report on the minister’s Facebook clarification, 30 October 2026.
Read the Dhaka Times 24 report - The Dhaka Diary — Report on the minister’s clarification, 30 October 2026.
Read The Dhaka Diary report
