Islami Andolon Bangladesh Ameer and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said the government has failed to understand public sentiment, citing what he described as reluctance to implement the July Charter. He said those entrusted with state power after July were not prioritising national interests. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon as chief guest at Islami Jubo Andolon Bangladesh’s 10th anniversary rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital.

Karim said a nation could not achieve liberation without good leaders and sound policies. Without their combination, he said, aspirations for development, security and good governance would not be realised. He also argued that the highest ideals of Islam had no alternative for eliminating corruption, extortion and drugs in the country.

He criticised what he called immorality, disorder and deception carried out in Islam’s name, saying such actions do not become Islam and instead tarnish it. The rally was chaired by Maulana Oliullah Talukdar, president of Islami Jubo Andolon Bangladesh’s Dhaka South unit. Islami Andolon Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman and other party leaders also addressed the gathering.

Water Resources Minister and BNP joint secretary general Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee expressed anger over civic services and the lack of visible development work by Lakshmipur Municipality. He made the remarks at a discussion meeting held on Friday afternoon at the district bar association auditorium in Lakshmipur.

Anee said municipal officials were carrying out their responsibilities with indifference. Despite having opportunities, he said, they were not implementing necessary measures including development projects, renovation of water bodies, construction of drainage facilities for water disposal, and road repairs. He said he had not seen evidence of such work.

The minister praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, saying Chandraganj Upazila had been obtained within a month and that its temporary office was scheduled for formal inauguration later that afternoon. He also said Lakshmipur residents hoped their long-standing dream of a railway line would soon be realised. According to him, approval had been granted for a nursing institute and medical college, while the district was also set to receive a university. জেলা পরিষদের administrator, educators, lawyers and college representatives attended the meeting.

National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed began performing the duties of head of state after President Md Sahabuddin resigned, according to an announcement made on Friday afternoon at the National Parliament Secretariat. Hafiz Uddin, now acting president, said the deputy speaker will perform the speaker’s duties in parliament while he carries out the presidential role.

Hafiz Uddin said Md Sahabuddin submitted his resignation letter to him. He assumed the presidential responsibilities under Article 54 of the Constitution, he said. After accepting the resignation, instructions were issued to preserve it in the National Parliament Secretariat’s records and take the necessary administrative steps.

Addressing the transfer of parliamentary duties, Hafiz Uddin said he had also taken an oath to serve as acting president if necessary on the day he was sworn in as speaker. He said the deputy speaker’s oath similarly provides that the deputy speaker will perform the speaker’s duties if the speaker’s post becomes vacant or the speaker is absent from duty.

Former law adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir would be a qualified choice for Bangladesh’s next president. In a Facebook post on Friday, reported on July 24, 2026, Nazrul said Fakhrul would probably be the best candidate if a politician is chosen for the presidency.

Nazrul wrote that Fakhrul had held the party together as BNP secretary general during what he described as Sheikh Hasina’s misrule. He said Fakhrul had faced various forms of persecution and made many sacrifices. Nazrul also described him as among the leading politicians in being moderate, well-mannered and an effective speaker.

The former adviser said Fakhrul has had a long-standing relationship of mutual understanding with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He also wrote that Fakhrul was like a son to Begum Khaleda Zia. Nazrul acknowledged that BNP has several other suitable people, but said Fakhrul would remain ahead after considering all aspects.

After Narendra Modi announced tougher action over exam paper leaks in India, cabinet discussions on the issue were reported on July 24. However, the information and broadcasting minister made no direct announcement after the meeting about a new law or punitive measures. When repeatedly questioned by journalists, he avoided the issue and said, “There is no paper leak today.”

Sources said the cabinet meeting discussed a proposed law that could impose up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 100 million rupees on people involved in paper leaks. During a news conference lasting about half an hour, the minister outlined decisions related to railway development and industrial infrastructure, but did not announce measures concerning recent examination and recruitment-test leaks.

The opposition Cockroach Janata Party said it would not withdraw its demand for the resignation of the minister concerned. Following a meeting between the government and the party on Friday, party leaders said the government had asked for one day to decide on their demands. Allegations involving recent public and recruitment examinations have drawn criticism and anger among students, parents and job seekers.

Bangladesh opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep concern and strongly condemned what he described as illegal entry, religious provocation and disorder at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. In a press release sent to media on Friday, he said thousands of extremist Israeli settlers entered the compound under the leadership of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Rahman said Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site and a symbol of faith for more than two billion Muslims worldwide. He described the settlers’ entry and the conduct of religiously provocative rituals, allegedly in breach of international law and the historical status quo, as an act of extreme incivility and open disregard for international rules.

He said obstructing Palestinian Muslims from prayers, mistreating elderly people and youths, and violating the sanctity of the compound were pushing the Middle East toward a wider conflict. Rahman called on the United Nations, the OIC, the peace-loving international community and Muslim heads of state to take effective legal and diplomatic measures. He also reaffirmed the Bangladeshi people’s support for Palestinians’ struggle for what he called their just rights.

Prominent lawyer Mohammad Tajul Islam posted a one-word Facebook status, “relief,” on Friday afternoon, according to a report published on July 24, 2026. The post followed the resignation of Md Shahabuddin, also known as Chuppu, from the presidency. The report said it was believed that Tajul Islam’s post referred to Shahabuddin’s resignation.

Shahabuddin’s departure has left the office of president vacant. Under the constitution, the speaker will serve as acting president until a new president assumes office. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad returned to the country on Friday, two days after cutting short a medical trip to Thailand because of the possibility of Chuppu’s resignation.

Article 123(2) of the constitution requires a new presidential election within 90 days when the office becomes vacant through death, resignation or removal. Under Article 48(1), the president is elected by votes of members of parliament. The report also noted that Shaheed Osman Hadi had been vocal in demanding Chuppu’s resignation.

A protest organised by Kakoroch Janata Party (CJP) in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has triggered controversy over allegations that security forces used pellet guns against demonstrators. The march toward Parliament on July 20 demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET question-paper leak. NDTV reported that medical records from Safdarjung Hospital noted pellet injuries on several people, while Delhi Police rejected the allegation.

Hospital records cited by the report described pellet wounds on the right elbow and back of a 28-year-old protester admitted on July 20. Teenager Sahil Lochab was alleged to have suffered pellet injuries, including to his right eye, and underwent surgery. Sheikh Mansuri, 25, was also reported injured, with seven pellet wounds to his nose, forehead, eyes and cheeks.

Delhi Police called claims of pellet-gun use against peaceful protesters false and misleading. The Rapid Action Force was deployed alongside police, but the CRPF made no comment on whether pellet guns were used. Congress leaders called for an apology and action if use was ordered. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a bill providing strict punishment for question-paper leaks would be introduced in Parliament next week.

Mohammad Shahabuddin resigned from the presidency, citing physical illness, and Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin assumed presidential duties under the constitution. At a Friday press conference at the National Parliament Building, Hafiz Uddin said Shahabuddin submitted his signed resignation letter at 4:51pm on 24 July 2026. The speaker said he took over the responsibilities in accordance with Article 54 after accepting the resignation.

According to Hafiz Uddin, Shahabuddin wrote that he suffers from serious heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney complications. He has undergone bypass surgery, while a recent medical examination diagnosed autonomic neuropathy. The condition causes him to lose consciousness at times. Shahabuddin said his physical complications, physical and mental incapacity, and need for long-term treatment meant he could no longer perform the duties of the constitutional office.

Hafiz Uddin said the resignation letter had been ordered preserved in National Parliament Secretariat records and that necessary administrative steps were directed. He said he had also taken an oath to serve as acting president if required when sworn in as speaker. Addressing discussion surrounding the resignation, he said Shahabuddin had resigned because of physical incapacity and had expressed support and respect for the current elected government.

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said no health certificate is needed to establish Chuppu’s illness. He made the remarks at a press conference held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Friday. Ahmed said there was no room for doubt that Chuppu was physically ill and added that he had occasionally lost consciousness.

Ahmed returned to the country on Friday after cutting short a trip to Thailand because of the possibility of Chuppu’s resignation. The report identifies him as the speaker of parliament. He had travelled to Thailand for medical treatment and returned two days earlier than planned.

According to the report, if a president resigns, the speaker serves as acting president under the constitution until an election is held for the post. The report also states that Chuppu has autonomic neuropathy and occasionally becomes unconscious.

Mohammad Shahabuddin, known as Chuppu, has resigned from the presidency, citing health reasons, according to his assistant private secretary H M Sagar. The resignation was confirmed on Friday, July 24, 2026. Shahabuddin said in his resignation letter that his medical condition prevented him from continuing to perform the responsibilities of the constitutional office properly.

He said he has long suffered from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney complications, and had previously undergone bypass surgery. A recent medical examination also diagnosed him with autonomic neuropathy. Shahabuddin stated that the condition causes him to lose consciousness briefly on occasion.

In the letter, he said the physical and mental incapacity caused by the range of illnesses made it no longer possible for him to discharge the duties of president appropriately. He also cited a need for long-term treatment. Shahabuddin said his health situation was the reason for his decision to step down from the post.

Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, MP, received floral greetings after assuming the duties of president, according to a report published on July 24, 2026. He took over the responsibility under Article 54 of the Constitution.

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam, Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kajol, and Parliament Secretariat Secretary Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan offered the greetings. They met Ahmed after he assumed the presidential duties and wished him success and good health.

The report said President Md Sahabuddin submitted his resignation letter to the Parliament speaker on Friday under Article 50(3) of the Constitution. Following that resignation, Ahmed, in his capacity as speaker of the National Parliament, assumed the responsibilities of president in accordance with the constitutional provision.

The eleven-party alliance said it will hold a divisional rally at Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa Field at 2:30pm on July 25. At a July 24 press briefing at the venue, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, a Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general and alliance central leader, said the Sylhet event would conclude a series of divisional rallies that began in Rajshahi. He said residents were prepared to make the rally successful despite adverse weather.

Zubair said the alliance was continuing its movement to implement the referendum verdict and seek trials of “fascist Hasina” and her associates. He accused the BNP of failing to take an oath for a constitutional reform council and violating a written commitment in the July Charter. He also alleged that the government had abolished the judicial secretariat and Human Rights Commission and was making partisan appointments in state institutions.

Organisers said Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman MP will attend as chief guest, while LDP chairman Dr Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmad will preside. NCP convener Nahid Islam MP and leaders from other parties are listed as special guests. The alliance said speakers would address Sylhet’s alleged deprivation, development disparities, state reform and the political situation, and announce a new programme.

Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University have advised students not to join protests at Jantar Mantar amid a student movement linked to examination question leaks in India. The report, published on July 24, 2026, said the Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, emerged from the issue and has become one of the country’s largest recent student movements. CJP protesters have called on students across India to join the movement.

In a post on X, JNU advised students, academics and other members of its campus to act responsibly and prioritize personal safety. Citing Supreme Court directions related to public protests, the university asked them to refrain from attending any gathering at or around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

JNU also urged responsible use of social media, saying violations could lead to disciplinary action under applicable laws and the university’s code of conduct. It said members were expected to uphold academic responsibility and responsible citizenship. Delhi University had earlier issued similar advice to its students. After that instruction, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said universities could not “threaten” students.

Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has assumed the role of acting president after Md Sahabuddin resigned, leaving the presidency vacant. The report, published on July 24, 2026, said the speaker will perform the presidential duties under the constitution until a new president takes office.

Article 50(3) of the constitution allows a president to resign through a signed letter addressed to the speaker. Under Article 54, the speaker performs the president’s duties when the office is vacant or when the president cannot serve because of absence, illness or another reason, pending the election of a new president.

Article 123(2) requires a new presidential election within 90 days when the post falls vacant through death, resignation or removal. Article 48(1) states that parliament members elect the president. Hafiz Uddin Ahmed returned to the country two days earlier, cutting short a medical trip to Thailand because of the possibility of Sahabuddin’s resignation.