Times Now reporter Dev Kotak was assaulted while covering protests in India demanding action over question-paper leaks and the education minister’s resignation, according to a report published July 25. Protesters allegedly called his channel “Godi Media,” a term used by critics for pro-government outlets, before striking him and throwing a water bottle. Videos of the incident were recorded on mobile phones and circulated on social media.

Kotak, 36, said the crowd believed the media had not presented its views, though he said his reporting included injuries on both sides. Tensions intensified after police action against a protest march toward Parliament on Monday, in which many students were injured. The Editors Guild of India condemned hostility and attacks against journalists while warning that flawed and biased reporting can worsen the situation and weaken the media’s democratic role.

Separate allegations of attacks on journalists emerged during a march from Sealdah to Esplanade in Kolkata. One television journalist was hospitalized at SSKM Hospital, alongside other injured journalists and camera operators. West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari condemned the incidents and promised action against identified attackers. The Kolkata Press Club called for accountability, while some protesters denied that those responsible were part of the movement.

National Parliament opposition chief whip Nahid Islam called for the immediate arrest and trial of Chuppu, saying he should not be allowed to leave the country. Speaking at Netrokona’s old DC office field at 9pm on Friday, after a march in Khaliajuri and Mohanganj upazilas, Islam alleged that BNP had enabled Chuppu to resign citing illness rather than removing and arresting him.

Islam accused BNP of abandoning its pre-election 31-point programme after taking power. He alleged that party members had engaged in land grabbing, tender manipulation and business involving false cases in districts, and said the party’s priorities had become power, extortion, occupation and plunder.

He also demanded implementation of the July Charter, justice for the killing of Osman Hadi, action to compel India to stop border killings, and an end to push-ins. Islam said his group would continue campaigning for fairness inside and outside parliament despite having six members. At the meeting, NCP northern region chief coordinator Sarjis Alam also criticised BNP over alleged capture of educational institution chairmanships and drug trade.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said the Election Commission will quickly announce a schedule for a presidential election after President Md Sahabuddin resigned, leaving the post vacant. Speaking to the media on Friday, Masud said Article 123 of the constitution requires a new president to be elected within 90 days of a vacancy. He said the election would be held within that period under the Presidential Election Act, 1991.

Masud said the chief election commissioner would serve as the returning officer. The schedule would be announced in the manner used for reserved women’s seat elections. If voting is required, it will take place; if there is only one candidate, that candidate will be declared elected unopposed. Election Commission activities will remain closed on Saturday because of the weekly holiday, with a decision on the schedule expected on Sunday or later.

Under the existing constitution, the 350 members of parliament are voters in the presidential election, and the commission will prepare the voter list before announcing the schedule. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said Sahabuddin’s signed resignation letter was submitted to him around 5pm Friday. He accepted it and assumed presidential responsibilities under Article 54, citing Sahabuddin’s serious illness and inability to continue performing the role.

Three former leaders of Jagannath University Chhatra Dal have received contract-based appointments to senior posts at three state institutions. The appointees are Kazi Rawnakul Islam Tipu, Shamsuzzaman Suruz and Kamruzzaman Dulal. The Contract and Foreign Appointment Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration announced the appointments in separate notifications on Thursday, July 23. The report was published on July 24, 2026.

Kazi Rawnakul Islam Tipu has been appointed managing director of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust. He is an assistant secretary for forests and environment affairs of the BNP executive committee and a former president of Jagannath University Chhatra Dal. Shamsuzzaman Suruz was appointed chairman of the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation. He is a BNP executive committee member and former senior joint convener of the university unit.

Kamruzzaman Dulal, a former vice-president of Jubo Dal and former student leader at Jagannath University, has been appointed executive secretary of the Bangladesh National Social Welfare Council. The notifications, signed by Deputy Secretary Md Golam Rabbani, state that the Grade-2 appointments are for one year from the date of joining. Appointees must relinquish involvement in other professions, businesses, or government, semi-government, private institutions or organisations before taking up their duties.

The National Citizen Party, or NCP, has called for the swift arrest and prosecution of recently resigned former president Md Shahabuddin. The demand was made by party member secretary Akhtar Hossain at a press conference held on Friday evening at the party’s temporary central office. The report was published on July 24, 2026.

Hossain said Shahabuddin’s resignation letter cited illness, but also contained statements that appeared intended to secure a “safe exit” for him. According to Hossain, the explanations in the letter did not align with reality and could create an opportunity to evade responsibility. The NCP said he should not be allowed to leave safely and that allegations against him should be properly investigated and tried.

The party described Shahabuddin as a “collaborator of fascism.” Hossain said justice for those killed in the 2024 mass uprising would remain incomplete without judicial proceedings against him. He urged the government to act, arguing that constitutional limitations may have existed while Shahabuddin was president, but that no such immunity remains after his resignation.

Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned as president of Bangladesh before completing his constitutional term, marking a new chapter at the country’s highest constitutional office amid post-uprising political change. Shahabuddin was sworn in as Bangladesh’s 22nd president on April 24, 2023, after being elected unopposed on the Awami League’s nomination. His term was constitutionally due to continue until April 2028.

The resignation creates an opportunity for the BNP to nominate a preferred candidate for the presidency under the current political reality, the report said. During his tenure, Shahabuddin set a rare constitutional record by administering the oath of office to three different heads of government within a single presidential term.

After the fall of the Awami League government in a student-public uprising on August 5, 2024, political parties and social organisations increasingly demanded his resignation. Groups linked to the July movement held programmes including a siege of Bangabhaban. He nevertheless remained in office through parliament’s dissolution, the formation of an interim government and the political transition, while the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus did not move to remove him.

Tareq Rahman Square in the Shibganj Upazila complex of Bogura has been renamed Mir Mugdha Square. State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam announced the change on Friday afternoon at an event launching renovation work on the square.

Speaking as chief guest, Mir Shah Alam said the new name represented the sacrifice, courage and public aspirations of July, rather than merely the name of a structure. He said the prime minister had not named a square after himself and that Prime Minister Tareq Rahman gave the name Mir Mugdha Square. He also said the BNP government was working sincerely to build the Bangladesh envisioned by martyrs through implementation of the July Charter.

The state minister described the July mass uprising as a symbol of the struggle for democracy, rights and people’s liberation. He said the sacrifices of July’s martyrs and injured fighters should be remembered and stressed teaching correct history to younger generations. After inaugurating the work, he urged those concerned to preserve the square’s beauty and dignity. Local officials, BNP leaders, police, representatives, July movement fighters and martyrs’ family members attended.

President Md Sahabuddin Chuppu resigned on Friday, July 24, according to the report. Amid several days of political speculation, he submitted his resignation letter in the afternoon, citing personal reasons and illness. Following the vacancy, the speaker of the National Parliament assumed duties as acting president under constitutional provisions.

The report said Chuppu’s continued presence at Bangabhaban after the political change of August 5, 2024 had drawn strong anger from political parties and student movement leaders. Calls for his removal became a major political issue in media and on social platforms. It also cited allegations that his contradictory statements regarding Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter and perceived indirect sympathy for the fallen administration had damaged public trust.

Political analysts quoted in the report described his presence as a major remaining administrative element of the previous government. Movement groups said the resignation was a logical outcome of the aspirations of the mass uprising. Attention in political circles has now turned to the election of a new president and the next phase of constitutional continuity, while the news generated widespread reactions online.

A prayer and discussion meeting for martyrs and injured people of the July movement was held in Chauddagram, Cumilla. Jagannathdighi Union Jamaat-e-Islami organized the event at the Payarkhola High School auditorium on Friday afternoon, July 24. Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Mahfuzur Rahman attended as the chief guest.

The meeting was chaired by Jagannathdighi Union Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Rota Sahab Uddin and moderated by its secretary Belal Uddin Majumdar. Speakers included union naib-e-ameer Kazi Shahidul Islam, assistant secretary Rabiul Islam Rocky, and former union president Abdul Momin Vendor, along with leaders from different levels of the organization.

Abdullah Al Masum, president of the Jagannathdighi Union Expatriate Forum, several ward Jamaat presidents, and banker Mohiuddin Sopu were also listed among attendees. Following the discussion, participants held a special prayer and munajat seeking forgiveness for the souls of those killed in the July movement and speedy recovery for those injured.

National Citizen Party (NCP) chief organiser Hasnat Abdullah, an MP, alleged that BNP failed to fulfil its pledge to create jobs for one crore people over five years in power. Speaking as chief guest at an NCP July March rally on Friday afternoon, he said BNP had failed to provide employment to even one person. The event was held at the old bus stand in Nawapara, Abhaynagar upazila of Jashore.

Abdullah said ensuring employment for the country’s young people was a major challenge. He argued that those who had promised jobs to the public had not delivered on that commitment. His remarks focused on employment and the unmet pledges he attributed to BNP.

He also expressed anger over the drug situation, saying the home minister had announced that an anti-drug drive would begin after Eid, but no such operation had been conducted. Abdullah further alleged that drugs were being supplied into Bangladesh through the minister’s own area. The meeting was chaired by Shahjahan Kabir, chief coordinator of Abhaynagar Upazila Citizen Party, and included speeches by Sarwar Tushar, Dr Mahmuda Mitu and Ali Ahsan Junayed.

Acting President Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram called recently departed President Md. Shahabuddin Chuppu to inquire about his health, according to sources at Bangabhaban cited by Amar Desh. The phone conversation took place from Bangabhaban on Friday night, July 24, 2026.

A Bangabhaban official said the two exchanged inquiries about each other’s wellbeing. Hafiz Uddin Ahmed wished Shahabuddin a recovery, while Shahabuddin wished the acting president well. After signing his resignation, Shahabuddin said he was seriously ill, suffering from multiple physical complications, and had been advised by doctors to take complete rest and seek advanced treatment.

Shahabuddin’s signed resignation letter was handed to Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed by the president’s military secretary at 5:01 pm on Friday. The speaker then assumed the responsibilities of acting president. A National Parliament Secretariat notice cited Articles 50(3), concerning a president’s resignation to the speaker, and 54, concerning the speaker’s assumption of presidential duties.

National Youth Force president Tarikul Islam warned that the NCP would take to the streets with 4 million unemployed people if steps are not taken to create jobs for young people. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while presiding over the July Youth Convention 2026, organised by the National Youth Force at the Institution of Engineers, IEB auditorium. Addressing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he said the government would be brought down through such a movement if employment was not created.

Tarikul alleged that the BNP came to power after promising youth employment but, over the past five months, had arranged extortion opportunities for its own party workers in the name of job creation. He said the NCP was not responsible for keeping the BNP in power and that the party must remain in office through healthy politics and work for public welfare.

He also claimed that the Youth and Sports Ministry’s Facebook page had not posted any news about creating employment for young people over the past six months. NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain MP attended as chief guest, while chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary and Nari Shakti convener Monira Sharmin were among the special guests and leaders present.

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the central government over allegations that security forces used pellet guns during a student protest in Delhi. At a Friday press conference, Gandhi appeared alongside Sahil Lochab, a student said to have been injured by pellets, and alleged that the government was concealing the truth. He displayed injuries on Sahil’s face, hands and body to reporters.

The allegations relate to a July 20 protest over a question-paper leak, when police action reportedly involved pellet guns. Delhi Police and the central government have denied the allegation from the outset. Several injured protesters, however, have claimed medical reports showed evidence of pellet injuries. Sahil, 19, is a final-year student at Delhi University’s School of Open Learning.

Gandhi said Sahil was injured while participating in the protest carrying the national flag and has lost vision in his right eye, with uncertainty over recovery. Sahil’s mother, Jyoti, said he was admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre and underwent surgery on Tuesday. Gandhi called for action against those responsible, an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Opposition Chief Whip and MP Nahid Islam accused the government of deceiving the public over implementation of the July Charter at a National Citizen Party rally in Mohanganj, Netrokona, on July 24. The gathering at Mohanganj Railway Station was part of the party’s July March 2026 programme, which began on July 6 and is scheduled to run for 36 days to mark the second anniversary of the July mass uprising.

Speaking as chief guest, Islam said the government did not want reforms and therefore was not moving to implement the charter. He said the young generation associated with the July revolution would not cooperate with the government if it failed to act, while adding that they would oppose unreasonable actions and support good work.

Islam claimed that 70 percent of people had supported the July Charter and said reforms should occur at every level. He also criticised restrictions on fishing in haor areas after fish fry were released, saying no livelihood alternative had been arranged for fishers. He alleged irregularities in fisher card distribution. NCP chief organiser Sarjis Alam and local leaders also addressed the rally.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon said Bangladesh’s history will be presented accurately in new textbooks and that no distortion of history will be tolerated. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon as chief guest at a teachers’ gathering and discussion at Monohorpur High School field in Kachua upazila of Chandpur.

Milon said work is under way to prepare new textbooks as part of efforts to implement joyful, technical and life-oriented education. Books are being prepared for grades six through eight, with emphasis on technical and life-oriented learning. He said 3.1 billion quality new textbooks would be distributed simultaneously across the country in January 2027.

The minister also highlighted sports and cultural activities for students’ overall development. He said each upazila would form its own sports team, while regular sports competitions would be held in all 64 districts and at five divisional levels. Sports and family values have been included in the new syllabus. Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Ziaur Rahman and other local and education officials addressed the event.