BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Fazlur Rahman has rejected allegations that his remarks on the July–August uprising were offensive or misleading.

In his reply to the party’s show-cause notice, Rahman said he always respected Islam, opposed religious opportunism, and encouraged students during quota reform and July protests. He added that attempts to credit Jamaat-Shibir for the movements were unjustified, insisting BNP was the driving force.

Rahman reiterated that none of his statements harmed the party but pledged to apologize if proven wrong. He called for a fair review from BNP’s disciplinary committee.

At Kishoreganj’s Gurudayal Government College grounds, students staged a protest by hurling shoes at a portrait of BNP leader Fazlur Rahman, declaring him “unwanted” in the district.

BNP’s Kishoreganj Organizing Secretary Haji Israil Mia said Rahman had ignored repeated warnings against making anti-party statements that undermined the July Movement and Islamic political groups. Jamaat leader Prof. Ramzan Ali accused Rahman of using “derogatory” language against the movement while praising the Liberation War.

In response, Rahman defended himself, saying his comments were misrepresented and aimed at highlighting BNP as a pro-Liberation War party.

On the very first day of campaigning for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) elections, two banners of the Shibir-backed United Student Alliance were vandalized at the Faculty of Fine Arts on Tuesday.

Photos of the incident spread on Facebook, and on-site visits confirmed the damage. One broken banner was found around 2:19 pm, while another was discovered destroyed later at 3 pm by Assistant Proctor Israfil Prang. CCTV footage shows two unidentified students vandalizing the banners.

Alliance leader SM Forhad condemned the incident as “deeply regrettable” and urged the Election Commission to investigate and take action. The proctor’s office confirmed an investigation is underway.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has confirmed that the next national election will take place in early February 2026, stressing that there is no uncertainty among the Election Commission, government, or BNP regarding the timeline.

He said parties that boycott the election would only marginalize themselves. “Anyone refusing to participate risks making themselves irrelevant,” he remarked.

On alliances, Salahuddin revealed that discussions are underway with several Islamist parties, but ruled out any possibility of joining forces with Jamaat-e-Islami. He emphasized merit-based candidate selection and assured that those who fought against authoritarianism would be prioritized.

Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur has accused influential individuals of orchestrating the arrests of My TV chairman Nasir Uddin Sathi and his son Towhid Afridi to seize control of the channel.

Nur claimed that the two were pressured with offers of Tk 5 crore in cash or share transfers. When negotiations failed, he said, authorities arrested them under a case filed a year earlier related to a student murder.

He argued that such politically motivated arrests undermine press freedom and may draw criticism from international human rights organizations. “Just as in the case of Daily Janakantha’s takeover, those manipulating the administration for My TV must also be exposed and held accountable,” Nur stated.

The Nationalist Citizen’s Party (NCP) has strongly condemned an alleged attack on its adviser Mahfuz Alam at the Bangladesh Consulate in New York, reportedly carried out by Awami League activists.

In a statement, the party accused the Awami League of once again exposing its “fascist, terrorist, and mafia character.” The NCP linked the incident to what it described as a broader pattern of violence, including attempts to normalize the Pilkhana massacre, the Shapla crackdown, and the July killings.

The party further criticized the Bangladesh government for its silence, noting that no official protest or diplomatic action has been taken nearly 24 hours after the incident.

The NCP urged the interim government to take a clear stance and called on the US government to designate the Awami League as a “terrorist organization” in light of its violent activities abroad.

Following the recent armed assault on a police camp in Gazaria using looted weapons, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam has assured that joint security forces will take swift action.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Shuvaddya canal excavation project in Keraniganj, Alam emphasized that the region faces serious threats from land grabbers and criminal groups. He called for united community resistance, warning that offenders will be dealt with an “iron hand.”

Alam said local prisons will be used to detain these groups and vowed strict measures against both land encroachers and polluters. “Encroachers of canals will not be spared,” he declared.

Ahead of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JACSU) elections scheduled for September 11, two major student organizations have announced their panels.

The Students’ Unity Forum, backed by BAGCHAS, nominated Arifuzzaman Ujjal for Vice President (VP), Abu Touhid Mohammad Siam for General Secretary (GS), Ziauddin Ayan for Assistant GS (Male), and Maliha Namlah for Assistant GS (Female).

Meanwhile, the Integrated Students’ Alliance, supported by Islami Chhatra Shibir, nominated Arifullah Adib for VP, Majharul Islam for GS, Ferdous Al Hasan for Assistant GS (Male), and Ayesha Siddika Meghla for Assistant GS (Female).

Other alliances—including one led by Abdur Rashid Jitu of the Mass Uprising Protection Movement and two leftist student groups—are also in discussions. However, BNP-backed student organizations have yet to finalize their panel amid reports of internal factionalism.

The campaign for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DACSU) elections officially began on Tuesday and will continue until midnight on September 8. Voting is scheduled for September 9.

According to the election commission’s guidelines, candidates must strictly adhere to the electoral code of conduct. Female candidates may campaign within their dormitories but only in designated spaces such as corridors outside rooms, guest rooms, canteens, dining halls, auditoriums, and food corners—excluding study rooms. Non-residential or external candidates must secure prior permission from dormitory authorities to campaign inside halls.

Male candidates are restricted to campaigning in female dormitories only in auditoriums or guest rooms approved by the administration. Each candidate or panel will be allowed just one projection meeting in any hall. Only black-and-white posters and leaflets are permitted, and no symbols or images other than the candidate’s own may be used. Posting on trees, walls, or any standing structures has been completely banned.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdullah Muhammad Taher warned that holding elections without reforms would drag Bangladesh back into fascism.
“Reforms must be completed before the next election. Those opposing reforms have hidden agendas,” he said, adding that elections without changes would revive “Awami Jahiliyat.”
Taher advocated for a proportional representation (PR) system, claiming it would end violence, curb vote-rigging, and ensure fair elections. “There is no alternative to PR—this is the only solution,” he asserted.

Islami Chhatra Shibir at Jagannath University held a press conference on Monday, presenting five demands, including approval of the JnUCSU (Jagannath University Central Students’ Union) policy within 15 days, a clear roadmap for its execution, and provision of supplementary scholarships.
Branch secretary Arif said, “Since the establishment of JnU, we have faced continuous neglect. We no longer wish to remain deprived. Quick implementation of our demands will benefit both students and the administration.”
He added that Shibir is ready to cooperate if the administration shows sincerity, but warned of strict programs if demands remain unmet.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has accused the ruling authorities of ignoring serious allegations of extortion against leaders and advisors of newly formed political parties.

He alleged conspiracies to derail the upcoming February elections, saying, “Some want to question its credibility, others want to delay it with foreign backing. But the people are united—they will accept nothing short of a free and fair election.”

Haque criticized Islamic parties advocating for a PR system, saying their aim is to secure seats with minimal votes. He accused new political groups of conspiring with foreign influence for power, while stressing that BNP remains committed to solving people’s problems.

“Elections must reflect the people’s choice. It is they who decide who governs,” he said.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has strongly condemned the attempted harassment of Advisor Mahfuz Alam by Awami League activists outside the Bangladesh Consulate in New York.

In a statement, he wrote: “Freedom of expression and peaceful protest are fundamental to democracy, but they must be exercised responsibly. Violence, intimidation, and chaos are not democracy.”

He said the incident reflects why Awami League’s activities have been banned in Bangladesh, as the party has repeatedly terrorized the public and resorted to destructive behavior—this time even abroad.

“The right to dissent is sacred, earned through the blood and sacrifice of the martyrs of the July uprising. Protests must be conducted with dignity, not hostility,” he added.

Revolutionary Workers Party leader Saiful Haque has warned that if uncertainty over the February elections deepens, security risks will escalate. “We could lose both power and stability,” he cautioned.

He urged all election stakeholders to act responsibly and demanded the withdrawal of controversial advisors, restructuring of the advisory council, and full administrative control under the government.

“The Election Commission’s first duty is to rebuild public trust in the electoral system. Draft rules must be shared with political parties before finalization, and key ministries must be placed under the commission during the polls,” Saiful said, stressing the need to move beyond divisive politics.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, has rejected proposals for a Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, saying countries that adopted it did not benefit. “We want free and fair elections, not PR,” he asserted.

Manna recalled that within just 25 days of mass protests, Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country, with 1,500 protesters sacrificing their lives. “Yet extortion, land-grabbing, robbery, and price hikes continue. Trust in police is still absent, and corruption remains rampant,” he said.

He stressed the need for restoring public trust in law enforcement, adding that only then would truly free elections be possible. While critical of the interim government’s performance, he urged political unity to ensure credible elections.