Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called on citizens to remain vigilant during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.
Speaking on Monday at a meeting with leaders of various Puja Celebration Committees in Jamuna, Yunus emphasized that no scope should be left for conspiracies around the religious festival. He also inquired about preparations and overall arrangements. Hindu community leaders invited him to visit the Puja mandaps, noting that this year over 1,000 new mandaps have been added compared to last year. Nationwide preparations are in full swing, with government agencies extending support. Community leaders expressed hope that, with everyone’s cooperation, this year’s festivities will be celebrated peacefully, just like the last.

Private primary school teachers excluded from the government’s nationalization process faced police water cannons and sound grenades while marching toward the Jamuna River. Forced to retreat, they regrouped near the National Press Club.
Since morning, around a thousand teachers gathered under the banner of the “Bangladesh Private Primary School General Teachers’ Unity Council.” They demanded urgent nationalization of over 5,000 excluded schools, as per the consultation committee’s recommendations. While 30,000 schools were nationalized in January 2013, nearly 5,000 were left out allegedly for political reasons. Despite a letter sent by the Chief Adviser’s office to the ministry in February, no progress has been made, protesters said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali has urged police officers to maintain the highest level of neutrality during the upcoming general election. Citing the recently held DUCSU elections as an example of fair practice, he emphasized the importance of collective efforts in ensuring free and credible polls.
He warned against activities of banned organizations, stressing vigilance and strict action against those disrupting law and order. With Durga Puja ahead, he directed preparations for smooth celebrations. Additional Commissioner (Administration) Md. Sarwar highlighted DMP’s modernization drive, including video-based prosecution of traffic violations. At the monthly crime review meeting, outstanding officers were recognized with awards.

BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) has terminated the employment of Rakibul Mobin, a staff member, after he made offensive remarks on social media about newly elected female representatives of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU).

The move followed a formal complaint lodged by newly elected DUCSU Law and Human Rights Secretary Shakhawat Zakaria last Thursday.

In a statement, BIGD said: “Rakibul’s personal comments in no way reflect the values, standards, or institutional stance of BIGD. We strongly condemn any disrespectful or discriminatory remarks based on gender, religion, political affiliation, or any other identity.”

It was revealed that Rakibul had shared a photo of the victorious DUCSU women leaders and referred to them as “house slaves.”

Economic Adviser Farida Akhter has announced that Bangladesh will export 1,200 metric tons of hilsa to India this year on the occasion of Durga Puja—less than half of last year’s volume.

She clarified that the decision was made not under pressure, but out of goodwill in response to India’s request. Additionally, in response to demands from expatriate communities, Bangladesh has approved the export of 11,000 metric tons of hilsa to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

Farida noted that hilsa production has dropped this year due to the killing of juvenile fish (jatka), leading to tighter supplies in domestic markets. To ease prices, the government will soon initiate sales of hilsa at affordable rates in selected areas.

She also highlighted ongoing efforts to eradicate LSD (Lumpy Skin Disease) in livestock, with vaccination drives now covering districts including Sirajganj, Pabna, and Manikganj.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has expressed Bangladesh’s readiness to increase imports from the United States, hoping the move will pave the way for expanded duty-free access.

During a meeting with Brendan Lynch, US Deputy Assistant Trade Representative, Yunus highlighted Bangladesh’s interest in importing more American agricultural products, including cotton and soybeans. The two sides also discussed strategies to reduce the trade imbalance, strengthen energy cooperation, increase LPG imports, potential aircraft purchases, narcotics control, and the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

“Bangladesh is prepared to increase imports from the US. We hope this will help us secure more tariff concessions,” Yunus said after the meeting.

Bangladesh will not form an independent statistics commission but instead a seven-member Statistics Council to ensure transparency and accountability in data management, according to a draft report submitted to the Planning Adviser.

The report recommends renaming the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) to Statistics Bangladesh (STAT), with its head designated as Chief Statistician.

The council will oversee appointments, cadre recruitment, and audit processes, led by the Planning Adviser. Amendments to the Statistics Act 2013, expansion into 16 branches, and creation of 437 new upazila-level posts have been proposed.

Taskforce chief Hossain Zillur Rahman noted that implementing these recommendations would bring about “major institutional reforms.” The report also urged a Tk 50 crore budget allocation to strengthen BBS’s autonomy.

The Election Commission (EC) has started purchasing and distributing materials for the upcoming national elections, with supplies already arriving at EC headquarters.

Deputy Secretary Rashedul Islam confirmed that items such as red cloth seals, transparent ballot box locks, official seals, marking stamps, and large and small hessian bags are being delivered in phases. The full supply is expected by September 30.

According to EC officials, most materials are centrally distributed, though returning officers may source some items locally. Once the election schedule is declared, materials will be dispatched step by step to regional, district, and upazila offices — with ballot papers and sensitive items sent under tight security just before polling.

Adviser Asif Mahmud has announced that 12,877 individuals from families of those injured or killed in the July 2024 mass uprising will receive training and employment opportunities.

He said the uprising opened a historic chance to build a “new Bangladesh” founded on equality, justice, dignity, democracy, and prosperity — with the youth as the driving force.

The government will soon launch the “ARN Project,” providing training to around 900,000 young men, women, and entrepreneurs. A “Youth Entrepreneurship Policy 2025” has also been drafted. On the occasion, three individuals were honored for their contributions to youth development and employment generation.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva is set to hold a virtual meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser tomorrow evening to discuss future cooperation.

Bangladesh is currently under a $5.5 billion IMF loan program, with five installments already disbursed. In June, the IMF approved an additional $800 million for the country.

Earlier, the Chief Adviser had sent a letter thanking the IMF for supporting reform initiatives. In response, Georgieva pledged continued assistance for Bangladesh’s development. The IMF’s executive board first approved the $4.7 billion loan package on January 30, 2023.

Journalist Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, testified at a tribunal against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others in a war crimes case tied to the July uprising.

Rahman alleged that in 2008, then-Army Chief Moeen U. Ahmed struck a deal with Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee to bring the Awami League to power in exchange for job security and a safe exit.

He further claimed that Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and other Awami League leaders conspired in the 2009 BDR mutiny to weaken the army. “Awami fascism was carefully planned, with foreign powers involved,” Rahman told the tribunal.

So far, 45 witnesses have testified in the case against Hasina, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Mamun. Separately, a tribunal in Ashulia begins hearing testimonies today in a murder and corpse-burning case.

Faridpur has seen fresh violence on the second day of protests against parliamentary constituency redistricting, with demonstrators demanding restoration of old boundaries.

Around 11 a.m., protesters blocked at least six key points along the Dhaka-Khulna and Faridpur-Barisal highways near Bhanga, halting traffic to 21 districts including Dhaka.

When police attempted to disperse the protesters, clashes broke out. Demonstrators vandalized and set fire to Bhanga police station, the Upazila Parishad, and the election office.

Local reports confirm several people sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Law enforcement agencies are struggling to regain control of the situation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur on Saturday for the first time since ethnic clashes erupted two years ago, leaving nearly 250 people dead.

His arrival was met with protests, with crowds chanting “Go Back Modi.” Tensions flared within hours of his visit, as police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, injuring several.

Modi is on a three-day tour that also covers Assam and Bihar. Violence in Manipur broke out in May 2023 between the largely Hindu Meitei community and the predominantly Christian Kuki population, displacing thousands, many of whom still live in government-run camps.

Addressing the state, Modi said, “The Government of India is making every effort to restore normal life in Manipur. I am here with you today—the people of Manipur are not alone.” He urged all sides to pursue peace.

The government has initiated steps to amend the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) Act of 2018. If approved, the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) will take over printing of textbooks for primary students starting in the 2027 academic year.

Education adviser C.R. Abrar confirmed that the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has proposed the amendment, which is currently under review.

DPE officials argue that since their ministry already receives budget allocations for printing, handling the process directly would cut costs and ensure timely book delivery. They also raised concerns about delays and paper quality under the current system.

However, education experts caution that NCTB’s decades of experience and technical capacity must be weighed carefully before transferring responsibilities.

Tragedy struck at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) as one of six premature babies born on Sunday passed away in intensive care.

The mother, 23-year-old Moksedha Akter Priya, gave birth to the sextuplets around 9 a.m. Three of the newborns were admitted to DMCH’s NICU, while the other three were taken to a private hospital’s NICU.

Dr. Abida Sultana, an assistant professor at DMCH, explained that Priya delivered at 27 weeks and described the birth as an “inevitable abortion” rather than a viable full-term delivery. Three of the infants weighed about 900 grams each, while the others weighed around 800 grams. Doctors remain cautious, stating that survival will depend largely on medical intervention and luck.