Dhaka University students organized a stick march in protest against rape and violence against women. The demonstration began at the Raju Memorial Sculpture near TSC at around 2:45 PM, moving through VC Square, Nilkhet, Katabon, and Shahbagh before returning to the starting point. The protesters demanded the removal of Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and the establishment of a fast-track tribunal for rape cases. Their nine-point demand also included effective measures to combat sexual violence, robbery, and theft; necessary amendments to existing laws; institutional reforms; and proper implementation of the Witness Protection Act to ensure the safety of victims and witnesses.

The Finance Ministry announced that government employees, including those in semi-government and autonomous institutions, will receive their March 2025 salaries in advance on March 23 ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Pensioners will also receive their payments on the same date.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Sunday that the “Special Security Guidelines 2025” for VIPs and distinguished individuals have been revoked. The decision follows recent controversy surrounding a directive that allegedly violated judicial protocols by undermining the Chief Justice’s authority. The High Court has summoned Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani of the Public Security Division to explain the directive on March 18. Additionally, the court has issued a suo moto rule questioning the legality of the canceled guidelines.

Students at Chittagong University staged a protest march demanding swift execution of rapists, particularly in light of the rape and murder of eight-year-old Achiya in Magura. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Who are you? Who am I? We are Achiya,” and “Justice! Justice! We want justice!” The demonstration concluded with a gathering at Zero Point, where student leaders demanded immediate legal action against rapists.

At an OIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan strongly opposed Israel’s occupation plans in Gaza, calling them “completely unacceptable.” He stressed that the root cause of the crisis is Israeli occupation and called for international efforts to prevent further annexation of Palestinian territories. He also rejected any attempts to alter the historical and political status of Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem.

Home Adviser Jahangir Alam declared that rapists will find no refuge in Bangladesh. Referring to a recent case in Magura, he confirmed that all suspects have been arrested and will face maximum legal punishment. The government has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy on sexual violence, instructing law enforcement to take swift action against offenders. He also reaffirmed that banned extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir will not be allowed to operate politically under any circumstances.

Mozammel Haque Manik, a schoolteacher accused of raping a fifth-grade student, was physically assaulted by an enraged crowd while being taken to court in Thakurgaon on Sunday. He was later sent to jail. Meanwhile, students and locals staged a human chain protest in front of the District Commissioner’s office, demanding the harshest punishment. District Commissioner Ishrat Farzana assured that no loophole in the law would allow the perpetrator to escape justice.

In a statement on Sunday, Hefazat-e-Islam emphasized that Islam mandates public punishment for rapists. Quoting the Quran, they stated: “Let no pity deter you from carrying out the punishment in accordance with Allah’s command, and let a group of believers witness it” (Surah An-Nur, Ayah 2). They also referenced Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who sentenced a rapist to death. The statement called for the public execution of former RAB officer Alep Uddin, accused of raping a woman after threatening to kill her husband in a staged ‘crossfire’ incident. Hefazat blamed the rise in rape cases on a culture of impunity.

Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam has announced that the government will take a firm stance against all forms of mob justice. “The law is blind; it does not consider race, religion, gender, or status. Anyone involved in mob justice will be brought under legal action,” he stated following a meeting with the Chief Adviser. He also warned that any attempts to incite chaos, including surrounding police stations or triggering unrest, will be met with strict action.

According to the latest update from Bangladesh Bank on Sunday, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to $21.40 billion, driven by a positive inflow of remittances. As of March 6, the gross reserves stood at $26.60 billion. Based on the IMF’s BPM6 accounting system, the current usable reserves are $21.40 billion. In February alone, remittances amounted to $2.5 billion, equivalent to over Tk 308.29 billion.

The Election Commission (EC) will issue a public notice on Monday inviting applications for new political parties seeking registration ahead of the upcoming national election, confirmed Additional Secretary KM Ali. The commission has already approved the decision, and new parties can apply for registration until April 20. After the application deadline, the EC will review and verify submissions before granting registrations to eligible parties. Currently, 54 political parties are registered with the EC.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed astonishment over the decade-long delay in implementing the Saydabad Water Treatment Plant Phase-3 and the Meghna River conservation project. He criticized the lack of progress, stating that excessive groundwater extraction is posing severe environmental risks. Officials reported that nearly 70% of Dhaka’s water supply relies on groundwater, causing an annual drop of 2-3 meters in water levels. The Chief Adviser urged authorities to remove obstacles and minimize costs to expedite project completion.

Bangladeshi students gathered at the historic Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo for Iftar as part of its 1,085-year anniversary celebrations. The event attracted hundreds of Bangladeshi students alongside visitors from Bangladesh. SM Fakhrul Islam, president of the Bangladeshi student association 'Ittehad' in Egypt, attended the event with his family. He shared his experience of observing Ramadan abroad for the first time, missing the festive atmosphere of home but appreciating the opportunity to break fast with nearly 7,000 students from diverse backgrounds.

The High Court has instructed the Women and Child Repression Tribunal to conclude the trial of an 8-year-old child’s rape case in Magura within 180 days. The directive followed a petition presented by Barrister Mahsib Hossain, who highlighted concerns over the child's well-being. Additionally, the court ordered the removal of all social media images of the victim, warning that posting such content is a legal violation, and failure to comply would result in further legal action.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has warned that a U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would cause an environmental catastrophe, leading to a severe water crisis in the Persian Gulf region within three days. He emphasized that water contamination levels would rise dramatically, affecting not just Qatar but also Kuwait, the UAE, and all Gulf nations. He cautioned that such an escalation would inevitably lead to a broader conflict that neither the region nor the world desires.