Mufti Muhammad Muhibbullahil Baqi Nadvi, a prominent Islamic scholar and the Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, formally took charge as the new Director General (Grade-1) of the Islamic Foundation on Tuesday afternoon. His appointment had been announced earlier through a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on May 21. The joining ceremony took place at the foundation’s headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, where officials and employees welcomed him and bid farewell to outgoing Director General A. Salam Khan.

During the introductory meeting, Mufti Baqi Nadvi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for entrusting him with the responsibility. He emphasized that the current government aims to transform the Islamic Foundation into a more effective, modern, service-oriented, and welfare-focused institution involving scholars, thinkers, researchers, and devout citizens. He called for collective efforts to make the organization more dynamic, transparent, accountable, and time-appropriate.

He also stressed maintaining discipline, integrity, and adherence to government regulations across all levels of the foundation, pledging to build greater public trust through new initiatives and mutual cooperation.

An incident of vandalism was reported at the BNP office in Patiya upazila of Chattogram early Tuesday. According to the complaint, unidentified individuals broke the lock of the office in Chanharha Union’s Ward No. 3 and damaged framed photographs of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and local MP Enamul Haque Enam. The intruders also allegedly broke plastic chairs and tables, took away a stand fan, several chairs, and important documents. Police from Patiya station visited the scene after receiving the report.

Ward BNP leader Idris Mia filed a written complaint with Patiya Police Station regarding the incident. Former ward president Md. Idris stated that the attackers caused extensive damage during the night, including breaking the frame containing the Prime Minister’s photograph. BNP leaders and activists condemned the attack. Former member-secretary of Patiya BNP, Khorshed Alam, also confirmed hearing about the vandalism and expressed his condemnation.

Patiya Police Officer-in-Charge Ziaul Haque confirmed that the office lock was broken and vandalism occurred but said no evidence was found of the Prime Minister’s photograph being damaged. Police have been deployed to investigate the matter.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has criticized the government’s decision to impose taxes on grocery stores, calling it a wrong move that fails to ease public hardship. The party’s assistant secretary general and Dhaka South president, Maulana Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum, made the remarks on Tuesday night while addressing a Dawati meeting of the Shahbagh Thana branch in Dhaka.

He said that instead of burdening small traders, the government should curb corruption and extortion by ruling party leaders to rebuild the country. According to him, many business owners have already closed their shops due to harassment by extortionists, which he described as unsustainable for the nation. Kaiyum also criticized the national parliament for turning into a stage for partisan disputes rather than protecting public interests.

During the meeting, other party leaders, including Maulana Sheikh Fazlul Karim Marum and Nazrul Islam Khokon, also participated. Kaiyum urged the government to fulfill its pledge to implement the July Charter, warning that failure to do so could drive people back to the streets in protest.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Sheikh Manjurul Haque (Rahaad), representing Bagerhat-2 constituency, has raised a demand in the National Parliament for the establishment of a university in Bagerhat district. He submitted a written question to the Education Minister, seeking clarification on whether the government plans to initiate such a project to meet the long-standing expectations of local students and promote higher education in the area.

In response, Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon stated that there is currently no university in Bagerhat. However, the neighboring Khulna district hosts three public and eight private universities, totaling fifteen institutions. Given this proximity, the government presently has no plan to establish a new university in Bagerhat. The ministry added that future decisions may be made based on necessity and feasibility.

Local students, parents, and residents have reportedly reacted positively to the MP’s parliamentary initiative, expressing hope that continued efforts could eventually lead to the creation of a university in Bagerhat.

Gazi Maulana Ataur Rahman has been appointed as the new secretary general of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, replacing Principal Yunus Ahmad after 18 years in the position. The announcement was made on Tuesday, and Yunus Ahmad has been made a presidium member of the party. Ataur Rahman previously served as the party’s central joint secretary general and spokesperson.

In an interview, Ataur Rahman said that leadership changes are not unusual but depend on the nature of Islamic organizations. He explained that as long as a leader remains capable and free from fundamental issues, there is no need for change. Addressing why the Amir’s position has not changed after 18 years, he stated that under Islamic principles, leadership should continue as long as the leader retains judgment and physical ability. He also emphasized that the will of the members regarding their Amir is what matters most.

The leadership reshuffle marks a significant organizational transition for Islami Andolan Bangladesh, with continuity maintained in the top leadership position.

The Government of Bangladesh has formed a 15-member ad hoc committee to administer the Bangladesh Bar Council, the regulatory body for lawyers in the country. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Attorney General of Bangladesh will serve as the committee’s chairman. The committee’s tenure will run from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

The notification, issued by the Law and Justice Division on Tuesday, stated that the committee was constituted under the authority granted by Section 4(2) of the Bangladesh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Order, 1972. Senior lawyer Zainul Abedin has been appointed vice-chairman. Other members include senior and regional lawyers such as Barrister Md. Badruddoza Badol, Masud Ahmed Talukder, Jasim Uddin Sarkar, A.H.M. Mushfiqur Rahman Tuhin, Barrister Ragib Rauf Chowdhury, Nasir Uddin Asim, Sarker Tahmina Begum Sandhya, Mohammad Hossain Lipu, Mohammad Shishir Monir, Md. Nazim Uddin Chowdhury of Chattogram, Ali Asgar of Bogura, Syed Nazrul Islam of Dhaka, and Mahfuzur Rahman Milon.

The formation ensures continuity in the Bar Council’s operations until the next regular council is constituted.

Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the daily Amar Desh, stated that the Battle of Plassey in 1757 was primarily fought to plunder Bengal’s wealth. He made the remark on Tuesday afternoon at a discussion titled “From Plassey to Bangladesh: Lessons of History and the Present Context,” organized by the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union. Rahman described the battle as a staged event where local elites like Mir Jafar and Jagat Seth allied with the British East India Company for personal gain, leading to massive exploitation and famine.

He said the British looting caused the devastating famine of 1770, which killed a third of the population in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, and reduced India’s share of global GDP from 25 percent to 4 percent. Rahman criticized the British for defaming Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah through fabricated stories such as the “Black Hole of Calcutta” and urged the university’s history department to launch a PhD project to uncover historical truths.

Linking past and present, Rahman praised the youth for ending what he called the worst fascism in 2024 without foreign help but warned that internal divisions among revolutionaries could endanger the hard-won freedom.

Violent clashes broke out between activists of the BNP and Jamaat in Palashbari upazila of Gaibandha on Monday night, prompting the local administration to impose Section 144 to restore order. The restriction, announced by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Jaber Ahmed, will remain in effect from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday. The confrontation, which began around 10 p.m. in the Jundah Bazar area, left at least eight people injured and disrupted traffic on the Dhaka–Rangpur highway for about an hour.

According to local accounts, the violence erupted after BNP activists allegedly assaulted a local Islami Chhatra Shibir leader over a previous dispute. Both groups later gathered at the market, leading to a series of clashes that injured at least ten people, including Palashbari BNP president Abdus Samad, who was later transferred to Bogura’s Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Shops and businesses in Jundah Bazar were reportedly vandalized and looted during the unrest.

BNP leaders accused Jamaat-Shibir members of attacking their activists, while Jamaat representatives denied the allegation, claiming the conflict started over a football match. Police intervened to control the situation, and authorities imposed Section 144 to prevent further escalation.

The Bangladesh Parliament on Tuesday passed the Cyber Security (Amendment) Bill 2026, introduced by the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam. The bill was approved by voice vote after resolving proposals for public opinion review and committee scrutiny. It removes Section 20 of the existing law, which dealt with gambling-related offenses, as a new law on online gambling has been enacted with detailed definitions and penalties.

During discussions, opposition members urged that the law not be used to suppress dissent or harass political opponents. They emphasized the need to protect women from cyber harassment and ensure freedom of expression. Independent MP Rumin Farhana highlighted the growing challenges of cyberbullying and misinformation in the age of artificial intelligence, while other lawmakers called for cautious enforcement to prevent misuse against students, politicians, and ordinary citizens.

Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed said the government is taking separate initiatives to address misinformation, defamation, and social harmony issues on social media. Opposition leader Shafiqul Rahman acknowledged the law’s importance but stressed that proper implementation is crucial to avoid public fear and ensure justice.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) carried out an eviction drive and mobile court operation at Dhanmondi Lake on Tuesday, led by Executive Magistrate Mohammad Aminul Islam. The operation aimed to preserve the city’s beauty, ensure public access, and free government open spaces from illegal occupation. During the drive, unauthorized temporary structures, makeshift shops, and hawkers operating beyond lease conditions were removed to make the area open and clean for the public. Four cases were filed, and a total fine of 3,000 taka was collected for illegal business activities on sidewalks and open spaces.

According to DSCC, such mobile court operations and eviction drives will continue regularly to keep city sidewalks, roads, and open spaces free from encroachment. The corporation urged residents to cooperate by refraining from illegal occupation to help build a clean, safe, and livable Dhaka.

The DSCC also emphasized that ongoing monitoring will be maintained to preserve the aesthetic environment of Dhanmondi Lake and ensure convenience for the public.

In the 2026–27 fiscal year budget discussions, the opposition in Bangladesh’s Parliament submitted cut motions for 58 out of 59 ministries and divisions, excluding only the Parliament Secretariat. The allocation for the Secretariat included Tk 7 million subject to parliamentary vote, which passed without any opposition motion. The opposition filed a total of 1,343 notices seeking expenditure reductions across various ministries.

According to the budget schedule, the total allocation for the Parliament Secretariat was Tk 2.906 billion, of which Tk 2.899 billion was charged expenditure not subject to vote. Only Tk 7 million required parliamentary approval. Under constitutional and procedural rules, charged expenditures cannot be voted on, leaving only a small portion open to debate. No member proposed any cut motion against this portion.

The report also outlined that Members of Parliament receive monthly salaries and allowances totaling at least Tk 173,500, along with additional travel, insurance, and discretionary benefits, all managed through the Parliament Secretariat.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has announced a month-long program to commemorate the martyrs and injured of the historic July-August mass uprising and to strengthen the national unity against fascism. The announcement was made through a press release signed by JCD Central Office Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam on Tuesday. The first event will take place at the Central Shaheed Minar at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, titled “Aloy Aloy Smriti Samujjwal,” featuring the national anthem and candle lighting in memory of the martyrs.

According to the statement, the program marks the second anniversary of the heroic victory of students and people in the July-August uprising. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Political Adviser to the Prime Minister and Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP, will attend as the chief guest, while National Parliament Whip and BNP Central Executive Committee Student Affairs Secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul will be the special guest.

The JCD stated that the initiative aims to preserve the historical memory of the uprising, recognize contributions from all participants, and uphold national unity. Similar events will be organized by JCD units across the country throughout the month.

The Bangladesh Parliament has passed the Gambling Prevention Bill 2026, introducing 14 categories of penalties for various forms of gambling, including online and remote betting. The law replaces the Public Gambling Act of 1867. Under the new provisions, involvement in online betting can lead to a maximum of seven years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million taka, or both. The bill was presented by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and passed by voice vote on Tuesday.

During the discussion, opposition and independent lawmakers expressed both support and concern. Independent MP Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal urged stricter measures, citing the growing attraction of online gambling among children. MP Akhtar Hossain warned that the bill’s provisions allowing police to block websites and seize materials without court approval could threaten civil rights. Home Minister Ahmed defended the clause, saying immediate action is necessary to prevent evidence from being destroyed.

Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said his party supported the bill but hoped the government would later consider their proposed amendments to prevent misuse and protect human rights.

A teacher’s retirement farewell ceremony at Jagannathpur Government Primary School in Ishwardi, Pabna, was disrupted on Tuesday when followers of district BNP convener Habibur Rahman Habib allegedly attacked the venue. The assault reportedly occurred because Habib was not invited as a guest. Witnesses said 12 to 15 people armed with sticks vandalized the stage, chairs, tables, and banners, and destroyed prepared food, causing an estimated loss of Tk 50,000.

The event had been organized by the school to honor acting head teacher Md Jahurul Islam, with invitations extended to former district BNP president and ex-MP Sirajul Islam Sardar and several education officials. School committee president Md Fazlur Rahman and invited guest Humayun Kabir Dulal Sardar condemned the attack, calling it politically motivated and disgraceful. Upazila Education Officer Shahina Akter also denounced the incident, saying such violence at an educational institution is unacceptable.

Local sources said internal rifts within the BNP in Ishwardi-Atgharia have intensified since the recent national election, leading to repeated clashes between rival factions.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told parliament that if the foreign ministry’s budget were reduced to one taka, Bangladesh would have to close its embassies abroad and lower the national flag. He made the remark on Tuesday during the approval process of the 2026–27 fiscal year budget while responding to cut motions on the ministry’s allocation. The minister said such a drastic cut would halt services for expatriates and prevent Bangladesh from paying its United Nations dues, risking suspension of membership.

Earlier, he proposed an allocation of Tk 1,844.43 crore for the ministry. The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal, heard 26 lawmakers submit cut motions. Several MPs discussed foreign policy issues, including the Teesta project, migrant worker challenges in the Middle East, and weaknesses in Rohingya repatriation efforts.

Khalilur emphasized that the proposed budget prioritizes national sovereignty, economic growth, and strategic diplomacy. He noted that most spending supports Bangladesh’s missions abroad and announced new missions in Johor Bahru, Detroit, Buenos Aires, and Dublin. He also confirmed allocations for the Rohingya genocide case at the International Court of Justice and for operational costs of existing missions.