Four female students at Baufal Salehia Fazil Madrasa were reportedly penalized for refusing to remove their hijabs during a Hadith exam. The exam’s tag officer, Tural Pramanik, allegedly confiscated their answer sheets. One student’s paper was later returned after she broke down in tears, but the remaining three did not receive theirs back. Pramanik is a BRDB project officer.

Two Bangladeshi fishermen were reportedly abducted by the Arakan Army from the Naf River near Teknaf. The victims are Abdul Badsha Alam (45) and Abul Kalam (40) from Balukhali. Local UP member Sirajul Mostafa said the fishermen were taken at gunpoint while fishing near the border. The incident has spread panic among local fishermen. Police are actively investigating.

The Ministry of Education has announced that the government has initiated the process to relieve Professor Dr. Muhammad Mashud, Vice Chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), and the Pro-Vice Chancellor from their responsibilities.

In an official statement, the ministry cited recent events and the need to swiftly restore normalcy and resume academic activities as the reasons behind this decision. A search committee will be formed shortly to appoint new individuals to both positions.

To ensure uninterrupted university operations during this interim period, a senior professor will be temporarily assigned the role of Acting Vice Chancellor.

Sabbir Ahmed, acting secretary of the Technical Student Movement Cell, announced a revival of protests, withdrawing the earlier suspension decision. He stated that the committee formed by the Education Ministry lacks credibility, as similar past committees failed to meet any demands. A new wave of protests is set to begin, with fresh programs to be declared at a representative conference on Thursday.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The adviser thanked him for agreeing to take 725 Bangladeshi soldiers on deputation, promising that their discipline and UN peacekeeping experience will contribute to Qatar’s armed forces.

The expulsion orders of 37 students from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) have been revoked. The decision was made during a syndicate meeting on Wednesday afternoon, as students continued an indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of the Vice Chancellor. However, a criminal case filed by an outsider naming 22 students remains active. Meanwhile, students persist with their protest under scorching heat, with many falling ill.

Pakistan’s ARY News has suggested that the recent attack on tourists in Indian-occupied Pahalgam, Kashmir, might have been orchestrated to serve the Modi government’s political agenda. The outlet claimed that such attacks are often used to deflect attention from domestic failures and incite anti-Pakistan sentiment. ARY also reported that pro-government social media accounts quickly began spreading unverified claims targeting Pakistan.

The General Secretary of the KUET Teachers’ Association, Dr. Md. Faruk Hossain, stated that the association stands firmly on the matter of upholding the dignity of the Vice Chancellor. “Since the government has intervened, they should take appropriate action if any faults are found. But if a Vice Chancellor is forced to resign due to pressure from any group, we strongly oppose it,” he said. Dr. Hossain also mentioned that teachers were subjected to abuse by students following the incident, and academic activities will remain suspended until justice is served for the assaulted teachers. Association President Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam added, “We are deeply hurt that the Education Adviser did not speak to us today.”

A three-member team from the University Grants Commission (UGC) has begun investigating ongoing unrest at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET). The probe began Wednesday morning following a brief visit and discussion with protesting students by Education Ministry adviser Dr. C. R. Abrar. Despite appeals, students have refused to end their hunger strike. The UGC team is now speaking directly with students and faculty.

Dr. C. R. Abrar, Education Adviser, visited KUET to check on students protesting with a hunger strike demanding VC Masood’s resignation. Arriving around 9:45 AM, he spoke with the students and expressed concern for their health. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a three-member committee to resolve the crisis and will visit the campus today. Dr. Abrar also urged students to consider ending their hunger strike for health reasons.

Student protesters at Dhaka’s Shahbagh have called for a nationwide class boycott, demanding the resignation of KUET Vice Chancellor Professor Mohammad Masood. Over 300 students from institutions including BUET, Jagannath University, CUET, KUET, and Dhaka College gathered under the “Shahbagh Blockade” banner. Solidarity protests, including symbolic hunger strikes and sit-ins, will be held across campuses. A protest rally will also take place at the Raju Memorial Sculpture at 3 PM.

At a bilateral meeting with South Korea’s Vice Minister of Fisheries, Chol Young-See, Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhtar emphasized Bangladesh’s potential in deep-sea fishing, marine aquaculture, and related technologies. She sought South Korea’s support in combating illegal fishing, enhancing tuna fishing capabilities, developing value-added seafood products, and providing training opportunities for Bangladeshi researchers in South Korea.

Polytechnic students have temporarily suspended their protest after the Education Ministry assured them of action on their six-point demands. A committee has been formed under the Technical and Madrasa Education Division to draft an implementation roadmap. The ministry has requested three weeks for this process. Students warned that if progress stalls, they will resume the movement with greater intensity.

Nine students at Chittagong University have completed 33 hours of hunger strike demanding the return of the Fine Arts Institute to the main campus. Despite multiple negotiation attempts by university officials, students remain steadfast. Two students fell ill on Tuesday afternoon and were administered IV fluids. Although the Vice-Chancellor had promised relocation by March 31, the process has stalled, pending final syndicate approval.

Prof. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, the Education Adviser, has urged KUET students to end their hunger strike and return to class, citing health concerns amid extreme heat. He assured them that a high-level delegation will soon visit the campus to assess the situation and work toward a solution in collaboration with faculty and students. The adviser also spoke directly with students over the phone, requesting them to prioritize their well-being.