Mufti Syed Rezaul Karim, the Amir of Islami Andolon Bangladesh and Charmonai Pir, stated that Jamaat-e-Islami’s involvement in war crimes is well established and widely discussed. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon while addressing the party’s Comilla North District conference at the Debidwar Upazila Parishad auditorium, where he attended as the chief guest.

Rezaul Karim said Jamaat lost its ideological foundation after removing the phrase ‘Akimuddin’ from its logo, arguing that the party’s identity was once rooted in Islam but has since become unclear. He criticized Jamaat for aligning with different political parties at different times and claimed that other Islamic groups associated with Jamaat have also lost their moral authority to represent Islam. He added that Jamaat had declared it would govern under democratic principles rather than Islamic Sharia if it came to power.

The conference was presided over by Qari Md. Saiful Islam Sarkar, with senior party leaders including Maulana Muhammad Nesar Uddin and Maulana Nurul Karim Akram also addressing the event.

British political diplomat Ms. Kate Ward from the UK Embassy in Bangladesh met with Allama Mamunul Haque, the Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the party’s office. The meeting focused on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, including governance, education, youth empowerment, technology-based skill development, and the importance of human resource advancement in a changing global context.

During the discussion, Mamunul Haque emphasized the need to build a morally grounded, skilled, and technologically aware generation for Bangladesh’s progress. He highlighted the importance of education, social harmony, and effective initiatives for public welfare. Ms. Ward listened attentively to Haque’s perspectives on Bangladesh’s overall situation and exchanged views on matters of mutual concern.

The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere, with both sides expressing hope for continued mutual understanding and constructive dialogue in the future. Khelafat Majlis Foreign Secretary Farid Khan was also present at the meeting.

A Dhaka court has postponed the charge framing hearing against former law minister Anisul Huq in an arms case filed under Banani Police Station. The hearing, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was deferred to August 23 by Judge Moin Uddin Chowdhury of the Dhaka Fourth Special Tribunal. The defense lawyer, Md. Suman Hossain, requested the delay citing the sudden illness of the main counsel, which prevented his attendance. The court granted the request after hearing both sides, with Huq being produced from prison before the session.

According to the case, a licensed pistol registered under Anisul Huq’s name was not surrendered within the government’s stipulated deadline following the 2024 student and public uprising that led to the government’s fall. The Home Ministry had suspended all firearm licenses issued between January 6, 2009, and August 5, 2024, and ordered their submission by September 3, 2024. Police later found neither the weapon nor any related information at Huq’s address.

The case was filed by Banani Police Sub-Inspector Md. Jane Alam Dulal, and the charge sheet was submitted on August 29, 2025. Huq remains in custody facing multiple other criminal charges.

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized the country’s education system, calling it completely corrupt and collapsed. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday while wearing a black badge, he claimed that 152 government and competitive exam papers had been leaked over the past ten years, yet not a single offender had been punished. Gandhi wore a black cloth on his arm in protest against police action on Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstrators and demanded the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for failing to prevent repeated leaks.

He alleged that millions of students and their families were paying the price for a broken system, with some students driven to suicide due to repeated leaks and immense pressure. Gandhi said around 75 million students and their families had been affected, as families’ hard-earned money was wasted on education undermined by corruption. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologize to students and emphasized that their demands for a fair education system should remain the focus.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed Gandhi’s protest as childish and accused him of trying to create chaos during the parliamentary session, organizing counter-protests in response.

A human chain was held at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) on Wednesday afternoon demanding the withdrawal of the expulsion order against two Chhatra Dal leaders. The protest took place in front of Administrative Building-1, with participation from students of the Political Studies and Statistics departments along with several Chhatra Dal activists.

During the event, students including Sabbir Hossain and Hridoy Hasan urged the university administration to reconsider the punishment on humanitarian grounds. They acknowledged that the July 18 incident involving a student from the Sociology department was an unfortunate altercation, and the accused students had already expressed remorse and sought forgiveness. The speakers appealed for leniency, emphasizing the impact of the decision on the students’ education, careers, and families.

On July 21, the university’s emergency syndicate meeting expelled Chhatra Dal leaders Tarek Rahman and Hasibur Rahman for four semesters and banned them from entering the campus for assaulting a student. Tarek Rahman also lost his residential seat at Shah Paran Hall and was permanently barred from applying for future accommodation.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that union parishad or local government elections will be held either later this year or at the beginning of next year. He made the statement on Wednesday at a discussion meeting organized by the Bangladesh Union Chairman Member Association at the Diploma Institute in Kakrail, Dhaka.

The minister’s remarks indicate that preparations for the upcoming local government polls are under consideration, though no specific date has been confirmed. The event served as a platform for discussing local governance issues and the timing of the elections.

Further details about the election schedule and procedures are expected to be released later, as the minister noted that more information will follow.

Bangladesh National Parliament Whip Alhaj Md. Akhteruzzaman Mia MP stated that the government is implementing development programs nationwide by ensuring the best use of limited resources. He emphasized that improving rural communication networks is one of the government’s top priorities to enhance the quality of life in remote areas. He made these remarks on Tuesday evening at a ceremony marking the foundation laying of the road from Alokdihi Union Parishad to Pirerhat in Chirirbandar upazila of Dinajpur.

Akhteruzzaman Mia said rural infrastructure development is a key pillar of the country’s overall economic progress, as modern road connectivity supports agriculture, education, healthcare, and trade. He added that the government aims to create equal development opportunities in all regions and is working sincerely to sustain the pace of sustainable growth.

Earlier in the day, the Whip visited and inaugurated several development projects in Chirirbandar, including new school buildings and paved road construction in multiple unions, reflecting the government’s continued focus on rural infrastructure expansion.

Bangladeshi journalists, political analysts, writers, and online activists based in France have called for united efforts to build a democratic, accountable, and just Bangladesh inspired by the spirit of July. The call came during a roundtable discussion titled “Implementation of the July Charter and Referendum,” held on Tuesday at a restaurant conference room in Paris. The event was organized by the socio-cultural organization Franco Bangla to discuss the July movement’s ideals and the vision for Bangladesh’s future.

Franco Bangla president Shahidul Islam delivered the welcome speech, while journalist and columnist Tanvir Ahmad Toha presented the keynote paper, highlighting the background and significance of the July movement and citizens’ roles in establishing democracy. Speakers emphasized strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring human rights, and upholding the rule of law to prevent any return to authoritarianism. They also underscored the importance of reforms and the active role of civil society, journalists, intellectuals, and expatriates in safeguarding Bangladesh’s democratic progress.

Participants included representatives from various Bangladeshi media outlets, community leaders, and activists living in France, reflecting broad engagement from the expatriate community.

The government has assigned 50 officers from the BCS (Administration) cadre to the Ministry of Land for their upcoming postings as Assistant Commissioners (Land), commonly known as AC Land. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Wednesday confirming the decision and directing the officers to join the Land Ministry.

According to the notification, the officers will undergo a basic land management course at the Dhaka Land Administration Training Centre before being formally appointed to AC Land positions. Their postings will follow the 'Posting Policy for Employees under the Ministry of Public Administration, 2022.' The move is part of the regular administrative process to prepare officers for field-level land administration responsibilities.

The directive emphasizes that the officers must complete the required training before assuming their new roles, ensuring compliance with the ministry’s procedural and policy framework.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expelled Gazi Nazrul Islam, the Member of Parliament for Satkhira-4, following an internal investigation that found him guilty of moral misconduct. The decision was made under Article 62 of the party’s constitution during an emergency meeting of the central executive council held at the official residence of the opposition leader on Minto Road, Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by party Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and attended by central executive members. The party stated it would immediately notify the Election Commission about the expulsion.

The expulsion follows the circulation of a video on social media showing Gazi Nazrul Islam with a young woman in a private room, which local Jamaat leaders claimed involved his second wife. The party’s organizational investigation reportedly confirmed the authenticity of the incident as previously reported by the newspaper Amar Desh.

The report notes that if a political party formally requests the Speaker to revoke an expelled member’s parliamentary seat, the seat is typically vacated. However, if no such request is made, the member may retain the position, as seen in earlier cases.

US Ambassador Brent Christensen led a delegation that met with top leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP), including convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam, at the party’s temporary central office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting focused on political dialogue, participatory processes, and advancing democratic reforms through engagement of all stakeholders.

According to the NCP, discussions covered Bangladesh’s political future, democratic transition, the party’s political philosophy, bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States, and recent trade agreements. The NCP leaders raised public concerns about aspects of the trade deal, to which the US delegation responded with clarifications and urged careful review. Both sides emphasized strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation amid global economic and geopolitical challenges.

The meeting also addressed progress on implementing referendum outcomes and the July Charter reforms. NCP leaders expressed concern over the government’s constitutional amendment committee formed without opposition participation. Following the meeting, Nahid Islam voiced optimism about continued constructive dialogue and friendship between the two nations.

Authorities in New Delhi have temporarily closed 16 major metro stations due to security risks arising from ongoing demonstrations by the 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP). The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced the closures around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, affecting key routes on the Blue, Yellow, and Violet lines. The sudden move caused confusion among commuters as train routes were altered and access to several stations was restricted.

The affected stations include Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Seva Tirth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, and Shivaji Stadium. Interchange facilities remain operational at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat. However, DMRC has not specified when the stations will reopen.

The closures led to disorder at several stations, with passengers unable to exit due to police barricades. Long queues and arguments with police were reported at Mandi House, and additional police forces were deployed to maintain control.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expelled Gazi Nazrul Islam, the Member of Parliament for Satkhira-4, following allegations of involvement in a scandal involving women. The decision was made at an emergency meeting of the party’s central executive council held on Wednesday afternoon at the official residence of the opposition leader on Mintu Road in Dhaka, chaired by party Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP. The party also decided to formally notify the Election Commission about the expulsion.

According to a Jamaat press release, an internal investigation confirmed Nazrul Islam’s moral misconduct, leading to his expulsion under Article 62 of the party constitution. The decision followed the circulation of videos on social media related to the allegations, after which a probe committee was quickly formed and its report reviewed by the executive council. Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim stated earlier that the party would take strict action against any unethical or criminal behavior.

Once the Election Commission is officially informed, the Satkhira-4 parliamentary seat may be declared vacant, potentially triggering a by-election.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that the philosophy of Bangladeshi nationalism represents an inclusive national identity encompassing all languages, religions, cultures, and ethnic groups within the country. He made these remarks on Wednesday at a seminar titled “Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Bangladeshi Nationalism,” organized by the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB), Jagannath University branch.

The minister highlighted that while Pakistan was founded on religious identity, long-term unity in a diverse state cannot rely solely on religion. He recalled the historical continuity from the 1952 Language Movement to the 1971 Liberation War, emphasizing Ziaur Rahman’s decisive leadership during the war and his role in articulating a citizen-based concept of nationalism after independence. This philosophy, he said, ensures equal dignity and rights for every citizen regardless of language, faith, or ethnicity.

Swapan added that Bangladeshi nationalism strengthens national unity, territorial integrity, and pluralism, reflecting modern state principles based on shared interests, constitutional commitments, and collective aspirations for the future.

An opinion essay by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, published on July 22, 2026, explores why India experiences frequent protests but not mass uprisings. The author argues that India’s functioning electoral system, institutional balance, and decentralized power structure allow public anger to be released through elections rather than revolutions. He contrasts this with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where blocked political channels and institutional collapse led to uprisings.

The essay identifies several factors behind India’s stability: co-optation of protest movements by the state, vast social and linguistic diversity preventing unified national movements, and the dominance of identity politics over class-based solidarity. It also discusses the rise of the BJP and RSS, the marginalization of Muslims and Dalits, and the cultural influence of Bollywood in maintaining state legitimacy. The author references political theorists such as Huntington and North to explain India’s “limited access order.”

The piece concludes that India’s youth remain aware and critical despite propaganda, and that a genuine uprising could occur only if electoral legitimacy collapses and co-optation loses credibility.