Several state ministers have emerged as influential figures within the government, according to a report published on August 23, 2026. The cabinet reshuffle following the government’s six-month assessment during the presidential election elevated BNP central treasurer and Jamalpur-1 lawmaker M Rashiduzzaman Millat from state minister to full minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism. Afroz Khanam Rita was moved from that ministry to the Food Ministry.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam is also described as influential. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed called him the “most powerful state minister” at a Cox’s Bazar meeting on June 13. Shah Alam’s ministry has received a new full minister, BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, while sources cited in the report believe Shah Alam’s influence will remain unchanged.

Chittagong Hill Tracts State Minister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin was also portrayed as influential after Minister Dipen Dewan resigned on June 1 amid a dispute linked to a Rangamati district council chairmanship recommendation. Bandarban lawmaker Saching Prue Jerry has taken responsibility for the ministry. Prime Minister’s foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir has been sworn in as a state minister for Foreign Affairs, joining existing state minister Shama Obaed Islam.

The Bangladesh government led by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman expanded and reshuffled its cabinet for the first time 185 days after taking office. Four new ministers and two state ministers took oath on Friday at Bangabhaban’s Darbar Hall before newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The changes included new portfolio assignments and transfers involving existing ministers.

Zahir Uddin Swapan was moved from the information and broadcasting ministry to become an adviser to the prime minister with ministerial status. Andaleeve Rahman Partha replaced him as information minister, while Yasir Khan Chowdhury remained state minister in the same ministry. Rashiduzzaman Millat was promoted from state minister to minister for civil aviation and tourism, and Afroza Khanam Rita was transferred to the food ministry.

Humayun Kabir, the prime minister’s foreign affairs adviser, was appointed state minister for foreign affairs as Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is expected to spend substantial time in the United States after beginning duties as UN General Assembly president in September. Sachin Prue Jerry became minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs. Mohammad Shamim Kaysar Lincoln was appointed state minister for religious affairs, prompting criticism and calls for cancellation of his appointment from Hefazat-e-Islam leader Maulana Junaid Al Habib.

An opinion article published by Amar Desh Online on August 23, 2026 argues that Islamophobia and anti-Arab discrimination have intensified in the United States. It says human-rights and civil-rights groups have reported record complaints of discrimination and harassment, linking negative attitudes toward Muslims to the Gaza war, tensions in the Middle East, and political rhetoric.

The article cites the Council on American-Islamic Relations as saying complaints related to anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination and harassment have reached an all-time high. It recalls a 2008 campaign event in which Republican Senator John McCain responded to a voter describing Barack Obama as an Arab, saying Obama was a decent family man and a US citizen despite their political differences.

It also describes attacks on Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul Al-Sayed, including statements by Republican figures and former CIA director Mike Pompeo. The article argues that criticism of Israel is treated as disqualifying for Muslim politicians, and extends this argument to Jewish critics of Israel, citing comments attributed to Robert Kagan, Alan Dershowitz, Mike Huckabee, Michael Barenboim and the Jewish Chronicle.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Treaty in Mecca on 7 August, according to the report. The trilateral framework treats an armed attack on any one signatory as an attack on all three. The report examines the possibility of Bangladesh joining an economic or defence arrangement involving the three countries and the implications it says this could have for India.

It says Bangladesh has sought to diversify strategic and security partnerships under a declared “Bangladesh First” policy and has warmed relations with Islamabad. Foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir reportedly said this month that Dhaka was positive about participating in a possible economic or defence framework if it aligned with national interests and sovereignty. Bangladesh has not formally announced plans to join any military alliance.

The report says Bangladesh has become a founding member of a 14-country multinational maritime defence alliance established in Saudi Arabia. It also says Turkish media have discussed including Bangladesh in the Mecca security framework. The analysis cites Bangladesh’s Bay of Bengal location and possible Turkish naval or Pakistani military access as factors that could complicate India’s security planning.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed made a surprise visit to Tejgaon Police Station in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, assessing law and order, infrastructure and the quality of police services for residents. After the visit, the officer-in-charge of Tejgaon station was withdrawn. The officer-in-charge of Paltan Model Police Station was also withdrawn under an administrative order.

During the inspection, the minister spoke with officers on duty and toured administrative rooms, the duty officer’s room, investigation offices, the lock-up, residential barracks and the dining area. He gave directions on housing, meal quality and cleanliness for police personnel, and asked about night-duty and shift schedules. He also heard concerns from citizens visiting the station to file general diaries or complaints.

The minister instructed relevant officers to resolve complaints quickly, transparently and responsibly, stressing that visitors must not face harassment or neglect. The DMP commissioner’s order attached Tejgaon OC Kaishainu and Paltan OC Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Khan to central reserve, headquarters and administration units, effective from August 22. No reason for their withdrawal was stated.

A Dhaka College leader of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, Md Rifat, alleged that activists of Chhatra Dal assaulted and harassed him on Saturday at about 2pm on the college hall field. He said he was later forced to address a Facebook Live broadcast and apologise over an earlier post alleging hall occupation and footpath extortion in New Market.

Rifat alleged that Chhatra Dal leaders Rifat Hossain and Wahid Faraji, along with activist Tamim Hossain and 15 to 20 others, took part in the incident. He said he was slapped, punched and hit with a stump for 10 to 15 minutes while going to eat in the hall area. He demanded exemplary punishment and alleged that the administration had not acted against those involved.

The accused denied any assault. Rifat Hossain said he only broadcast the student’s statement live after asking him about the Facebook post, while Wahid Faraji said he knew nothing of such an incident. Tamim Hossain said they only questioned him over what he described as a false extortion allegation. Chhatra Dal convener Piyal Hasan said he would investigate and seek accountability if evidence is found.

West Bengal Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari said people living in the state must sing “Vande Mataram,” declaring that his government would not compromise on nationalism and patriotism. He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing a rally in his Bhabanipur constituency, according to the report published on August 23, 2026.

Adhikari alleged that the national flag had not been hoisted at Jadavpur University, that the state education department had not been allowed to enter, and that CCTV cameras had not been permitted on campus. He blamed what he called the “tukde-tukde gang” and “jihadi” forces for opposing the singing of “Vande Mataram” and celebrations of Republic Day and Independence Day at the university.

He said his government would establish nationalism inside and outside Jadavpur despite what he described as supportive media coverage for anti-national forces. Adhikari also said the university should reflect nationalism, Indian culture and “Sanatan” culture, citing the goal of realizing Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s dream. He criticized left parties and claimed their candidates lost deposits in assembly elections held earlier this year.

Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP) has welcomed the prospect of Malaysia reopening its labour market to Bangladeshi workers after more than two years, while raising concerns over a list of 25 Bangladeshi recruiting agencies. In a statement issued on Saturday and sent by party office cell member Sadia Farzana Dinar, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan said the market must not become a monopoly for a limited number of agencies.

Bhuiyan said Malaysia’s foreign worker recruitment platform FWCMS had published the list, but the selection process, criteria and basis remained unclear. He said the Bangladesh government had previously sent Malaysia a list of 423 recruiting agencies that met stipulated conditions, and called for clarification on why only 25 were selected.

The NCP cited past allegations of syndicate-driven irregularities and excessive charges, including claims that workers paid up to Tk550,000 against a government-set cost of Tk79,000. It called for transparent, competitive and accountable recruitment, investigation of past allegations, legal action where warranted, and priority resolution for workers unable to travel in 2024 despite completing procedures. The party also urged public disclosure of recruitment terms agreed through the Bangladesh-Malaysia Joint Working Group.

The United States has congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on assuming office as Bangladesh’s newly elected president. The US Embassy in Dhaka issued the message on Saturday, saying it congratulated him on taking responsibility as the country’s 23rd president.

In its statement, the embassy said the United States looks forward to working with President Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and the Bangladesh government. It said such engagement is intended to further strengthen the bilateral partnership between the two countries.

The United States also reaffirmed its commitment to the continued development of US-Bangladesh relations, mutual cooperation and a broader partnership, according to the embassy’s message.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar called on the party to field candidates at every level in upcoming local elections and strengthen its organization to secure victory. He made the remarks as chief guest at a ward presidents’ conference organized by Naogaon district Jamaat at a local upazila parishad auditorium on Saturday morning.

Parwar said party activities should be made more dynamic ahead of the local polls, with stronger and more organized grassroots structures. He urged leaders to build close ties with people, stand beside them, and help solve their problems. He also said Jamaat workers should act as social workers and that leaders should play a leading role in establishing justice and fairness.

He called on the government to curb rising prices of oil, gas and essential goods and bring them within ordinary people’s purchasing power. Parwar also said Jamaat’s movement would continue until the July Charter is implemented and the referendum verdict is enforced. Naogaon district Jamaat Amir Kh. M. Abdur Rakib chaired the conference, attended by central and district-level party leaders.

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said the central government aims to complete within six months the process of granting Indian citizenship to eligible Hindu, Sikh and Jain refugees who came from Bangladesh. He made the announcement on Friday at an event in Kawakhali, Siliguri, in West Bengal.

Shah said the initiative covers people who entered India after facing persecution in Bangladesh and are eligible under the Citizenship Amendment Act, or CAA. He said they would receive citizenship with respect and dignity. The Union Home Ministry is coordinating with the West Bengal state administration on the process.

To speed up applications, the Home Ministry has given district magistrates in eight West Bengal districts the necessary authority to process citizenship cases, Shah said. India’s Parliament passed the CAA in 2019 and its rules took effect in 2024. The law provides a citizenship route, subject to conditions, for Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who entered India by December 31, 2014. Shah also stressed identifying illegal migrants in West Bengal and taking action against them.

BNP joint secretary general and Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie warned that excessive expectations could create fresh danger and allow others to exploit the situation. He made the remarks on Saturday at the National Press Club in Dhaka during a memorial meeting and prayer event marking the 12th death anniversary of former Feni-3 lawmaker and media figure Muhammad Mosharraf Hossain.

Annie said public expectations of political leaders must align with politicians’ statements and actions. He said politicians, activists and supporters of political parties should consider the issue carefully. He also said relations with neighbouring countries should have been better and stressed that politicians have a responsibility to retain the public’s changed perception of them after the election and after the 5th.

The minister said expectations that a government can accomplish everything for everyone within six months are not realistic because state responsibilities were assumed through a defined process. He said people had at least been relieved from a 17-year situation marked by cases, attacks, oppression, torture, disappearances and killings. Annie also recalled Mosharraf Hossain as someone committed to helping people in Feni and said future memorial events could be organised on a broader scale.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said Bangladesh is not rushing to arrange the prime minister’s visit to India and will proceed at an appropriate time after ensuring national interests through discussion. He made the remarks on Saturday, August 22, 2026, while answering reporters’ questions after paying tribute to Liberation War martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar.

Kabir said Bangladesh wants to maintain positive and effective relations with India as a neighbouring country, but would not compromise its national interests in relations with India or any other state. He said a prime minister-level visit cannot be organized suddenly because it requires necessary discussions and preparations before the two heads of government meet.

On Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, Kabir described her as having fled to India and said judicial proceedings against her are ongoing, with verdicts delivered in several cases and others still pending. He said Bangladesh and India have an extradition treaty, making the matter an ongoing bilateral issue. He added that Bangladesh would communicate and discuss with India the return of other alleged offenders who have fled there.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said that “true democracy” currently prevails in Bangladesh. Speaking on Saturday at the foundation-stone ceremony for the Mokamtala Union Parishad office and a relief distribution event in Mokamtala upazila, Bogura, he said the democratic election of the president was major evidence of democratic practice and development in the country.

Alam thanked the opposition party for taking part in the presidential election. He said democracy is not limited to holding elections, but is expressed through respect for public opinion, political tolerance and ensuring everyone’s participation. He also said politicians should not be arrogant, saying honour can be given or taken away at any time by Allah.

The state minister described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a humble and decent politician who is running the country responsibly. He said public welfare and national development are the central aims of the prime minister’s politics. Local elected representatives, political leaders, administrative officials and people from different professions attended the event. Alam later distributed relief materials among families affected by natural disasters.

Haragach municipality BNP has issued a show-cause notice to Saidul Islam Ranju, general secretary of ward 8 BNP in Kaunia, Rangpur, over allegations that he took money by promising government allowances for mosque staff. The notice was signed Friday night by municipal BNP president Monayen Hossain Faruk and general secretary Nurul Amin Daju.

The notice said allegations of financial transactions had emerged involving the imam, muezzin and khadem of Mollatari Jame Mosque in exchange for inclusion in the government allowance scheme. It asked Ranju to explain in writing within three days why organisational action should not be taken, saying the allegations had damaged the party’s image.

Nurul Amin Daju confirmed the notice on Saturday afternoon. He said taking money in the name of government allowances using a party identity was an offence. He said an audio recording involving a refund of money spread on social media, prompting party leaders to investigate and find preliminary evidence. Muezzin Nur Amin alleged that Ranju initially demanded Tk34,000 from the three staff members, later saying Tk30,000 would secure their inclusion. Ranju denied the allegations, saying he was a victim of political vendetta.