Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan announced that if his party assumes state power, it will officially declare the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community as non-Muslim. He made the statement on Saturday, November 15, during the International Khatme Nabuwat Grand Conference held at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. Rafiqul Islam claimed there is no disagreement within the Muslim world on this issue and said the belief in the finality of Prophet Muhammad is unanimously accepted among Muslims. The event, organized to demand the declaration of Ahmadis as non-Muslim, was attended by religious scholars and political leaders from Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, and Egypt. Notable participants included leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. The conference was chaired by Maulana Abdul Hamid, convener of the Combined Khatme Nabuwat Committee Bangladesh.

US President Donald Trump announced plans to file a lawsuit against the BBC next week, seeking damages between $1 billion and $5 billion, despite the broadcaster’s apology for a misleading edit of one of his speeches. The BBC had issued a personal apology to Trump and admitted the edit was an 'error of judgment' but rejected his legal and financial demands, stating there was no basis for a defamation claim. The controversy stems from a Panorama documentary that spliced parts of Trump’s speech, creating a misleading impression. The program aired shortly before the US election and has since been withdrawn. The incident has already led to the resignations of BBC Director General Tim Davie and BBC News Chief Deborah Turness. Trump criticized the edit as 'corrupt' and said he had not yet discussed the issue with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer but planned to do so soon.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned the fairness and transparency of the government’s proposed four-question referendum, asking where citizens can express disagreement if they oppose even one of the questions. Speaking in Dhaka after providing financial assistance to an ailing radio artist on behalf of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Rizvi criticized the government for allegedly manipulating the referendum process. He warned that any attempt to impose a flawed or unclear referendum would not be sustainable and claimed that most citizens do not understand its purpose. Rizvi also accused the ruling Awami League of laundering large sums of money from India to create unrest in Bangladesh and destabilize the political situation. He urged that the referendum questions be made understandable to the general public to ensure genuine participation and transparency.

Nine months after Mohammad Ejaz took charge as administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), his pledge to build a 'just city' rooted in metmodern municipal ideals remains largely unfulfilled. Despite promises of equitable urban services, citizen participation, and nature-centered planning, Dhaka continues to suffer from severe traffic congestion, encroached sidewalks, poor waste management, and worsening dengue outbreaks. Experts say Ejaz, once a vocal river researcher, has failed to translate his theoretical commitments into tangible reforms. Parks and playgrounds remain under elite control, drainage systems are clogged, and infrastructure projects have created more disruption than relief. Environmentalists criticize his short-lived air purifier plan as misguided, while urban planners accuse him of catering to privileged groups. Ejaz defends his record, citing recovered playgrounds, pink toilets for women, and initiatives for marginalized communities. However, residents and specialists argue that the DNCC’s governance still reflects bureaucratic inertia rather than the participatory, equitable, and ecological principles promised under the metmodern urbanism framework.

US President Donald Trump has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch a Department of Justice investigation into former President Bill Clinton’s ties with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s demand follows the release of thousands of emails that have reignited questions about his own relationship with Epstein. The newly surfaced correspondence, published by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, includes references suggesting Trump’s awareness of Epstein’s activities. Trump dismissed the revelations as a political distraction, labeling them a 'hoax' and accusing Democrats of weaponizing the Epstein case to divert attention from the government shutdown. Bondi confirmed she had assigned US Attorney Jay Clayton to lead the probe. The controversy adds to ongoing bipartisan pressure on Trump’s administration to release all Epstein-related documents. Both Clinton and Trump have faced scrutiny for their past associations with Epstein, whose death in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges continues to fuel conspiracy theories.

Munatsir Mahmud, an expelled leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has issued a public threat against the party’s member secretary, Akhtar Hossain, demanding an apology within an hour. The ultimatum expired on Friday night without any response from Akhtar. Shortly after, Mahmud posted on Facebook, asking followers whether he should leak information about Akhtar, using social media reactions as a poll. Earlier, Mahmud had warned that failure to apologize would lead to unspecified 'action.' His removal from all party positions followed allegations of violating party discipline. The incident has drawn attention to internal conflicts within the NCP and the growing trend of political disputes being aired on social media platforms in Bangladesh.

Senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, attended a dinner hosted by Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yousef S.Y. Ramadan, on Friday, November 14. According to BNP’s media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, the event was attended by several top party figures such as Dr. Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, and Organizing Secretary Shama Obaid. Sources described the gathering as informal, with discussions reportedly covering regional political developments, the ongoing crisis in Palestine, and strategies for garnering international support. The meeting reflects continued diplomatic engagement between the Palestinian mission and major political parties in Bangladesh amid heightened global attention to the Middle East situation.

The Awami League, once Bangladesh’s dominant political party, is facing renewed internal crisis following its collapse on August 5, 2024, after a mass uprising ended its 15-year rule. Despite being banned from political activities, exiled top leaders, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are reportedly urging supporters to engage in violent protests such as the recent 'Dhaka lockdown' and arson attacks. Analysts and senior party members warn that these actions are deepening the party’s isolation and alienating remaining grassroots activists. Many leaders express frustration over the lack of direction, arguing that only a return to peaceful, reformed politics and public apology for past mistakes can restore credibility. Political experts caution that continued reliance on threats and violence could permanently destroy the party’s chances of revival. Meanwhile, Hasina’s public statements from abroad and calls for confrontation have further divided the party and drawn public disapproval, leaving its future uncertain amid growing despair among loyalists.

Bangabir Kader Siddiqui, president of the Krishak Sramik Janata League, declared that his party members would continue to chant 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu' and challenged authorities to arrest him first if saying the slogan is deemed a crime. Speaking at a gathering in Kalihati, Tangail, after visiting his parents’ graves with his recently released brother Abdul Latif Siddiqui, he criticized the interim government for excluding his party from national discussions. Kader Siddiqui emphasized that his party would not participate in any election where the majority of voters are unable to cast their votes, calling for a truly participatory election ensuring every citizen’s right to vote. Latif Siddiqui echoed his brother’s sentiments, expressing relief at being expelled from the Awami League and criticizing the hypocrisy of some political elites. The event drew a large turnout of supporters who accompanied the Siddiqui brothers in a motorcade to the village rally.

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, issued the July Charter Implementation Order on Thursday, sparking renewed political discord among major parties including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens’ Party (NCP). The order, aimed at enacting constitutional reforms, has been met with mixed reactions. The BNP opposed the order’s issuance by the interim government, arguing it lacked constitutional authority, while Jamaat supported it. Disagreements persist over the timing of the referendum, the structure of a proposed upper house, and the procedure for constitutional amendments. The BNP’s demands for proportional seat allocation and specific appointment powers for key institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission were largely ignored. Meanwhile, the NCP’s call for legal grounding of the charter was partially accepted, though its proposal for automatic constitutional inclusion of reforms was rejected. The order was ultimately issued under President Md. Shahabuddin’s authority, despite NCP objections. Dr. Yunus presented the final version as a compromise to move the reform process forward.

In Bangladesh’s Comilla-9 (Laksam–Monoharganj) constituency, BNP-nominated parliamentary candidate Abul Kalam has received public support and cooperation assurance from his former rival, nomination aspirant Samira Azim Dola. The reconciliation took place on Friday evening at the BNP’s Gulshan office in Dhaka, in the presence of BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. Earlier, Dola’s motorcade was attacked during a campaign event on November 9, injuring at least 15 people and exposing internal rifts within the party. Following the incident, BNP formed a five-member investigation committee. Dola stated that acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman had called her, urging unity among party members. Both Kalam and Dola affirmed their commitment to work together to ensure victory for the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf, in the upcoming national election.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) (JD-U), is set to return to power in Bihar with a commanding majority. According to the latest official trends, the NDA is leading in 202 out of 243 assembly seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan is ahead in only 35. The BJP leads in 90 seats, JD-U in 84, and allies LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM, and RLM in several others. Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) trails far behind, managing leads in just 26 constituencies. Political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party failed to make an impact, polling fewer votes than NOTA. Meanwhile, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM surprised observers by leading in six seats in the Seemanchal region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited women and youth voters for the victory and suggested that Bihar’s political momentum could influence West Bengal next. Analysts attribute the NDA’s landslide to strong female voter turnout, effective caste alliances, and the enduring popularity of Nitish Kumar and Modi.

A Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami activist, Nur Alam (60), died in a tragic road accident during a motorcycle showdown organized as part of the party’s election campaign in Rangpur’s Gangachara area. The event was held in support of Jamaat’s candidate Raihan Siraji for the Rangpur-1 constituency ahead of the upcoming 13th national election. The accident occurred when Nur Alam lost control of his motorcycle and collided with an electric pole, sustaining severe injuries to his head and chest. He was taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Several others were reportedly injured in the incident. Police have confirmed the occurrence of the accident and the death.

BNP Chairperson’s adviser and former opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque has claimed that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not want Bangladesh’s independence but instead aimed to become Pakistan’s prime minister. Speaking at a rally organized by the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal in Senbagh, Noakhali, Farroque said that when student leaders urged Mujib to declare independence, he refused, fearing a treason case. He asserted that it was Ziaur Rahman who first declared Bangladesh’s independence. Farroque also criticized current political maneuvering over election participation and urged BNP activists to remain united under Tarique Rahman’s leadership. He pledged that if BNP wins, Tarique Rahman would become prime minister and create employment for one crore people. Farroque further emphasized party loyalty, urging supporters to vote for the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol regardless of personal preferences.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has claimed that a deep conspiracy is underway concerning Bangladesh’s upcoming national election and the country’s sovereignty. Speaking at a public rally in Chauddagram, Comilla, he criticized the government for allegedly yielding to Indian influence and demanded transparency regarding the national security adviser’s recent visit to India. Dr. Taher warned that accepting India’s unjust demands would have dire consequences for the government. He also accused the interim government of falling into the ruling party’s trap by avoiding electoral reforms and manipulating the proposed referendum process. According to him, if a fair vote on reforms were held before the national election, the majority would support Jamaat’s stance. Other Jamaat leaders and local representatives also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the need for political reform and public accountability.