Prof Arun Chandra Biswas, of Government Bangabandhu College in Gopalganj, had applied for a leave in advance to visit India.

Although the leave application was approved by the authorities concerned, the circular issued approving his leave of 50 days cited "performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia" as the reason for leave.

This mistake made by the education ministry has been making the rounds on social media for the last few days with many taunting the professor about his religion.

“After the news spread, many called me over the phone asking whether I had converted to Islam,” Arun, head of the accounting department of the college, told The Daily Star yesterday.

“I applied for leave from June 1 to June 21 to visit India. But in the circular, they wrote that I intend to perform Hajj. I am in deep discomfort. Please do something to save my honour with the issuance of a corrected circular,” he said.

Prof Motiar Rahman, principal of the college, told The Daily Star that he forwarded the leave application in which it was mentioned that Arun wanted to visit India.

A professor of a government college, wishing to go on leave, needs to submit his application, along with seven other documents, to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE). After processing the file, the DSHE sends it to the ministry for its approval after which they prepare a government order for the applied leave, said a ministry official, wishing for anonymity.

This mistake might have taken place as many teachers were applying for lengthy leaves to perform Hajj, he said.

The circular issued on April 30, which was available on social media, showed that he was granted leave from July 25 to September 12 to perform Hajj. It was, however, not found in the ministry website yesterday.

Murshida Sharmin, deputy secretary of the ministry, who signed the circular, could not be contacted despite numerous attempts. 

Mollah Jalal Uddin, additional secretary of the division, said he was unaware of the issue and would be able to make a comment once he is notified.