Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to attend his final party program in London on Tuesday before returning to Bangladesh. The event, marking Victory Day, will take place at the City Pavilion at 5 p.m., where Rahman is expected to deliver a directive speech to party members and formally bid farewell to the UK-based BNP community.

Local BNP leaders confirmed that due to time constraints, no separate community event will be held. UK BNP Joint Secretary Khosruzzaman Khosru said enthusiasm among activists is high, with extensive preparations underway to ensure the program’s success. The meeting will be chaired by BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and UK BNP President M.A. Malik, and conducted by National Executive Committee member and UK BNP General Secretary Koysor M. Ahmed.

Rahman, who has lived in the UK since 2008 following his release from detention after the 2007 political upheaval, is expected to depart for Bangladesh on December 24. His return marks a significant political moment for the BNP ahead of the next national election.

Jagannath University’s branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a 100-boat rally on Dhaka’s Buriganga River on December 16 to commemorate Bangladesh’s Victory Day. Around 700 activists participated, wearing red and green shirts and carrying national flags. The rally began at Shyambazar Ghat, reached Postogola Bridge, and returned to its starting point, drawing attention from locals and media.

Speakers, including Shibir’s Jagannath University president and student panel candidates, said the event aimed to honor the Liberation War’s legacy while raising awareness about river conservation. They criticized river encroachment and pollution, alleging that India’s upstream water control has harmed Bangladesh’s major rivers such as Teesta and Feni. The organizers also condemned a recent social media post by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it disrespectful to Bangladesh’s independence.

The rally’s combination of patriotic celebration and environmental advocacy highlighted growing student activism around national sovereignty and ecological issues. Authorities have not commented on the event or its political undertones.

At a Victory Day event in Dhaka, Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of *Amar Desh*, asserted that no foreign power, including India, could ever subjugate Bangladesh again. Speaking as chief guest at a free medical camp and scholarship ceremony organized by Insaf Baraka Kidney and General Hospital, he praised the resilience of Bangladesh’s 180 million citizens and honored the sacrifices of freedom fighters who secured independence in 1971.

Rahman emphasized the importance of remembering key national milestones such as 1947, 1971, and the July Revolution, describing them as defining moments of national pride. He criticized the country’s corrupt elite for exploiting ordinary citizens and urged investment in human resources and healthcare to reduce dependence on foreign medical treatment. Highlighting the success of students from modest backgrounds, he said they represent the nation’s true strength and future.

The event’s organizers echoed his call for unity and progress, stressing that the spirit of the Liberation War and July Revolution must guide Bangladesh’s development toward a self-reliant future.

Bangladesh’s main opposition party BNP did not attend an all-party protest rally at Dhaka’s Shaheed Minar on Monday, organized by Inqilab Mancha to condemn the shooting of independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. Although BNP leaders expressed solidarity over the phone, their absence drew attention as representatives from Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and other anti-government groups were present.

Party insiders said BNP avoided the event to prevent being drawn into controversy or provocation, especially after senior leader Mirza Abbas faced hostility while visiting Hadi earlier. Analysts noted that the party’s leadership wanted to avoid any incident that could disrupt the pre-election environment or link BNP to inflammatory speeches.

The rally featured strong anti-India rhetoric from former adviser Mahfuz Alam and NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah, which observers said validated BNP’s caution. Political analysts believe the party’s restraint signals a strategic effort to maintain stability and distance itself from radical narratives ahead of the upcoming national election.

Several members of the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action have been hospitalized in the United Kingdom after more than 40 days of hunger strike. According to legal documents reviewed by Sky News, five of the eight detainees have been admitted to hospital, marking the country’s largest hunger strike since 1981. The protesters are facing charges related to break-ins at an Israel-linked defense firm and a Royal Air Force base attack that damaged two military jets.

The deteriorating health of detainees, including Kamran Ahmed and Qaiser Zuhrah, has drawn urgent appeals from lawmakers. Labour MP John McDonnell called the situation an emergency, urging Justice Secretary David Lammy to intervene, while MP Zarah Sultana warned the government could face moral responsibility if deaths occur. In contrast, Conservative MP Rupert Lowe dismissed the strikers, saying he had “no sympathy” for them.

The escalating crisis has intensified political divisions over protest rights and the UK’s handling of pro-Palestinian activism, with growing public scrutiny of the government’s response.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus declared that the defeated fascist forces will never return to the country, during a televised address to the nation on Victory Day, December 16, 2025. His speech, broadcast simultaneously on BTV, Bangladesh Betar, and private channels, urged citizens to remain united and vigilant ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Yunus warned that certain groups were attempting to destabilize the country before the polls, but assured that the government had identified those involved in recent conspiracies. Referring to the critical condition of Sharif Osman Hadi, who is receiving treatment in Singapore, he said all necessary measures had been taken for his safety and care. The Chief Adviser emphasized that no one involved in violent plots would be spared.

Calling for restraint and rejecting misinformation, Yunus urged the public not to fall for provocations. He reaffirmed that Bangladesh’s democratic journey would continue despite threats, and that fascist and terrorist elements would be decisively defeated.

Police in Ranisankail, Thakurgaon, arrested former mayor and local Jubo League president Alamgir Sarkar on Monday evening under the Explosives Act. The arrest took place at his residence in Bhandara as part of the nationwide 'Devil Hunt-2' operation, which aims to detain individuals accused in various criminal cases.

Sarkar, a controversial figure, previously drew public attention for his aggressive behavior toward journalists. In 2018, he allegedly threatened a local reporter who exposed irregularities in municipal road construction and made a provocative remark about creating '21,000 journalists in one day' to counter criticism. Police confirmed that Sarkar has been sent to the Thakurgaon court following his arrest.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and the press in regional Bangladesh. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the specific charges, but the arrest underscores the government's broader crackdown on politically linked criminal activities under the current operation.

On Tuesday, marking Bangladesh’s Victory Day, the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), paid tribute at the mausoleum of late President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. The delegation, led by Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Nurul Islam Noyon, laid floral wreaths and prayed for the martyrs of the Liberation War.

During the ceremony, Jubo Dal leaders reaffirmed their commitment to uphold democracy and national sovereignty, emphasizing Ziaur Rahman’s ideals of independence and multi-party democracy. They urged the youth to play a more active role in restoring democratic rights and protecting the spirit of the Liberation War.

The event comes amid renewed political mobilization by opposition groups ahead of upcoming national political activities, highlighting the BNP’s continued efforts to engage younger supporters through symbolic acts of remembrance and unity.

Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivered a televised address to the nation on Bangladesh’s Victory Day 2025, where he expressed deep concern over the health of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He noted that the government has been monitoring her condition closely since the beginning of her illness and reaffirmed that she remains an integral figure in the country’s political and democratic history.

Yunus emphasized that the interim government has officially recognized Khaleda Zia as a ‘state figure of special importance,’ acknowledging her contributions to Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty, and democratic development. He assured that all necessary medical support is being provided in accordance with her family’s wishes, including the possibility of advanced treatment abroad if required.

The statement comes amid heightened public attention to Khaleda Zia’s health and signals the interim administration’s intent to maintain a respectful and inclusive political environment during the transition period.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has declared that those involved in the recent attack on activist Sharif Osman Hadi will face justice, assuring the nation that no conspirator will be spared. In a televised address marking Victory Day on December 16, Yunus described the assault as an attack on the country’s democratic journey and national integrity.

Hadi, spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July uprising, remains in critical condition and has been transferred to Singapore for advanced treatment. The government has reportedly identified several suspects and tightened security around key political figures. Yunus condemned what he called attempts by “defeated fascist forces” to destabilize the country through violence and urged citizens to remain calm and avoid misinformation.

The statement signals the interim government’s determination to maintain stability amid political tension. Authorities are expected to announce further investigative measures in the coming days as public concern over political violence continues to rise.

Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivered a televised address on Victory Day 2025, calling for national unity, peaceful elections, and public endorsement of the July National Charter through the upcoming February 12 general election and referendum. He condemned the recent attack on activist Sharif Osman Hadi, describing it as an assault on democracy, and assured that those responsible would face justice. Yunus also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring medical care for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

The Chief Adviser highlighted major institutional reforms, including judicial independence, a new Police Commission Ordinance, and a restructured Human Rights Commission. He emphasized that the July Charter represents a historic opportunity for citizens to shape a corruption-free, accountable democracy. For the first time, expatriate Bangladeshis will be able to vote by postal ballot. Yunus urged all political parties to ensure a festive, violence-free election environment.

Analysts view the speech as a defining moment in Bangladesh’s democratic transition, setting the tone for a potentially transformative election that could determine the country’s political and constitutional trajectory for decades.

A major controversy erupted in India’s Bihar state after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was filmed pulling off the hijab of a female AYUSH doctor during a government appointment ceremony in Patna on December 15. The 74-year-old leader was seen gesturing for the doctor to remove her hijab before reaching out himself and uncovering her head, prompting visible discomfort from the woman and laughter from some attendees. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reportedly tried to intervene.

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation across political and social platforms. The opposition Congress Party called the act “shameful and disgraceful,” demanding Kumar’s resignation and questioning women’s safety under his leadership. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also criticized the behavior, saying it exposed the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance’s hypocrisy on women’s empowerment. Social media users have described the act as “deplorable,” with many calling for accountability.

This is not the first time Kumar has faced criticism over his behavior toward women. A similar controversy arose in November when a video showed him placing a garland on a woman during a campaign event. The latest uproar could further strain his political standing ahead of upcoming state elections.

A heated altercation broke out at Chittagong University on Tuesday when leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), led by branch president Alauddin Mohsin, attempted to assault Ibrahim Hossain Rony, the elected vice president of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Chaksu). The incident occurred around 11:45 a.m. during a Victory Day discussion at the university’s Jarultola area, disrupting the event.

Witnesses reported that the confrontation began after Rony mentioned the presence of external BNP activists on campus in his speech, which angered Mohsin. Rony later told reporters that those accustomed to bringing outsiders to campus were responsible for such unrest and urged all student leaders to act responsibly. Attempts to reach Mohsin for comment were unsuccessful.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions among student political groups at the university, raising concerns about campus safety and the influence of national politics on student affairs. University authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the confrontation.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) organized a symbolic rally at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka on December 16, displaying portraits of five prominent liberation-era figures — Sirajul Alam Khan, Siraj Sikder, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, Major Jalil, and Sharif Osman Hadi. The event, led by NCP joint member secretary Arif Sohel, coincided with Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebrations.

During the program, Sohel criticized what he described as the monopolization of the Liberation War’s legacy by the Awami League and the Sheikh family. He argued that the 1971 people’s war was driven by farmers, workers, students, and the general public, independent of any single political party. The rally aimed to reclaim the Liberation War’s spirit for the people and to honor leaders he said had been erased from official narratives.

NCP announced that similar programs would continue in the future, signaling an effort to reshape public memory around the Liberation War and to challenge the dominant political narrative surrounding Bangladesh’s independence history.

Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central secretary general, Nurul Islam Saddam, stated that Bangladesh’s young generation is rejecting attempts to revive divisive political narratives from the past. Speaking at a bicycle rally marking the 55th anniversary of the country’s independence at Dhaka College, he accused certain groups of trying to create national division by resurrecting outdated political discourses.

Saddam recalled that post-independence restrictions on free speech and the establishment of one-party rule had led to famine and political instability, pushing the nation into crisis. He emphasized the need for patriotic and corruption-free leadership to build a new Bangladesh based on equality, human dignity, and social justice as envisioned in the independence declaration.

The rally, organized by the Dhaka College unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, began at the central Shaheed Minar and circled the Parliament area before returning to its starting point. Around five hundred students participated, with several central leaders addressing the event.