Former BNP vice chairman and ex-president of the National Press Club, journalist Shawkat Mahmud, is reported to be in a critical condition while in custody. His family stated that prolonged illness and lack of proper medical care have left the 73-year-old facing life-threatening complications. His daughter, Mehet Mamun, has appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for his unconditional release and immediate medical attention.

According to the appeal, Mahmud suffers from heart disease, diabetes, COPD, respiratory problems, and age-related complications. He underwent six bypass surgeries in 2004 and had four stents placed in 2013 and 2022. Arrested on December 7 last year, he fell ill during remand and was admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on January 6. The family claims he was detained in a false case and continues to face harassment through multiple charges.

The family also described severe financial distress, saying they sold their only car to cover legal and medical expenses. From prison, Mahmud reaffirmed his loyalty to BNP’s founding ideals and sought forgiveness for any unintentional mistakes, expressing readiness to accept any decision from the prime minister.

Family members and relatives of businessman Selim Pradhan held a human chain protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Wednesday, demanding his unconditional release. They alleged that despite having no political affiliation, he was being deliberately implicated in multiple false cases and kept in jail even after securing bail. His sister Smriti Pradhan broke down in tears during her speech, calling the cases against him fabricated and conspiratorial.

Smriti Pradhan said her brother, who grew up in Japan, returned to Bangladesh to launch cleanliness initiatives in Rupganj and contribute to social welfare. She claimed that vested interests tried to harm him commercially and that he was previously detained for over four years under the Awami League government on false charges of aiding the BNP. Other family members, including Riyadul Islam and Mohibur Rahman Joy, echoed similar allegations, saying Selim Pradhan faced repeated arrests and harassment despite no proven political involvement.

Speakers at the protest urged the government to ensure equal justice for all citizens as guaranteed by the constitution and to consider Selim Pradhan’s case from a humanitarian perspective.

ASM Abdur Rob, president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), warned that ignoring the referendum verdict on implementing the National Charter could lead to a dangerous situation. In a statement to the media on Wednesday, he said the commitment to hold a referendum after the July uprising was a clear and collective pledge supported by all political parties. He described the uprising as a historic effort by the people to redefine state power through direct participation.

Rob emphasized that the legitimacy of the state stems from the people’s consent and participation, and the National Charter reflects the collective aspirations of working citizens. He argued that bypassing the referendum or replacing it with administrative measures would contradict the principles of inclusive democracy and institutionalize internal subjugation. He cautioned that any attempt by the government to avoid or delay the referendum would deepen the crisis of public trust.

He concluded that the government’s political integrity depends on honoring its commitment to the referendum, urging it not to disregard public opinion and to implement the National Charter in line with the people’s mandate.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that Bangladesh’s road management system will be reorganized ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, which he described as more challenging than Eid-ul-Fitr. He made the remarks on Wednesday morning while inaugurating a tree-planting program at the Madani Avenue link road from the Purbachal 300 Feet Expressway in Dhaka. The minister noted that around 15 million people are expected to leave Dhaka while about 10 million sacrificial animals will enter the city. He also mentioned that the government is considering the possibility of constructing another Jamuna Bridge and will test a demo train before any project approval.

The minister launched a large-scale nationwide tree-planting initiative under the Road Transport and Highways Division to promote environmental balance and sustainable development. He urged citizens, government offices, and organizations to turn the campaign into a people’s movement rather than a ceremonial event. State Minister Habibur Rashid said the government has adopted a plan to plant 2.5 billion trees in five years as part of its long-term vision for a sustainable and livable Bangladesh.

Officials from the ministry and related departments attended the inauguration ceremony.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni has announced that a special parliamentary committee will soon be formed to address constitutional amendments. Speaking to reporters after a parliamentary committee meeting on Wednesday, he said the committee will include representatives from all parties, including independents, in proportionate numbers. He added that the committee could have 15 to 20 members, though the exact number has not yet been finalized.

Moni emphasized that both ruling and opposition party legal experts will be included in the committee to ensure broad participation. He urged opposition parties to join, saying that constitutional reform is essential for the country and should not be delayed. He also stated that the government aims to make parliament more effective and to solve national issues through parliamentary processes.

A parliamentary press release added that the meeting recommended installing an echo-free sound system in the session chamber, improving internet speed, ensuring safe drinking water in the parliament area, and preparing residences for members by April 10.

Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged that the ruling party is unwilling to fully implement the July Charter under the guise of forming a constitutional amendment committee. The party’s senior Nayeb-e-Ameer and Member of Parliament ATM Azharul Islam made the remark on Wednesday afternoon at the 13th National Parliament building, where Barrister Najibur Rahman MP was also present.

ATM Azharul Islam stated that there is no question of the opposition joining the government’s proposed constitutional amendment committee, arguing that mere amendments are insufficient and that full reform is necessary. He also commented that some statements by the opposition leader had been misquoted, which he said was not acceptable.

Earlier in the morning, the third meeting of the parliamentary committee was held in the Cabinet Room of the National Parliament. The discussion reflects ongoing political disagreement over the process and scope of constitutional reform linked to the July Charter.

The opposition parties in Bangladesh’s National Parliament staged a walkout on Wednesday afternoon after failing to receive a response regarding their demand to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Reform Council. Opposition leader Shafiqul Rahman announced the walkout, leading members out of the chamber in protest against what they described as an attempt to suppress their proposal by introducing another motion.

The dispute followed Tuesday’s discussion on a pending motion about convening the council. The ruling party had proposed forming an all-party special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendments, but the opposition disagreed, insisting that any committee should center on the Constitutional Reform Council. During Wednesday’s session, Shafiqul Rahman sought a ruling from Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, who replied that the earlier motion was inadmissible for legislative reasons but that further discussion could be allowed.

The opposition leader maintained that their demand reflected public sentiment and accused the government of disregarding voter expectations. The Speaker acknowledged their right to walk out, and opposition members subsequently left the chamber.

Iran has expressed dissatisfaction and sorrow over Bangladesh’s official statement following the joint attack by the United States and Israel. Speaking at a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said Tehran had expected Bangladesh, as a Muslim-majority nation, to directly condemn the aggression. Instead, Bangladesh only expressed concern, which Iran found disappointing.

The ambassador noted that countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, and Spain had explicitly condemned the attack, contrasting their positions with Bangladesh’s cautious response. Although Iran will not send an official letter to Dhaka, Jahanabadi said he would personally raise the issue with Bangladesh’s prime minister in a future meeting. He emphasized that Iran targets only US bases in the region, not neighboring Muslim countries, and questioned why Arab states allow such bases on their soil.

Despite the discontent, the ambassador reaffirmed Iran’s intention to strengthen ties with Bangladesh and welcomed any peace initiatives Dhaka might take in the Middle East. He also assured cooperation in ensuring the safe return of Bangladeshis from Iran.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will provide free school uniforms to 200,000 primary school children. He made the statement on Wednesday, April 1, during a live question-and-answer session with members of parliament at the National Assembly. The session was part of a scheduled 30-minute segment dedicated to questions for the prime minister.

During his remarks, Rahman expressed gratitude to voters and emphasized his responsibility to serve all citizens, including those who did not vote for him. He said the government had already begun implementing its election manifesto, including plans to plant 15 million saplings of various species during the current monsoon season. He also stated that the introduction of family and farmer cards would help stabilize the economy and prevent inflation.

According to the prime minister, an additional 30,000 families will receive family cards within the next three months, and 40 million more families will be included over the next four years.

Government Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni announced that a special parliamentary committee will soon be formed to amend the constitution in line with the July National Charter. He made the statement on Wednesday, April 1, after the third meeting of the parliamentary committee. The initiative includes the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) note of dissent.

Moni said the committee will be created with participation from all sides, including legal experts from both the ruling and opposition parties. The exact number of members has not yet been finalized. He emphasized that the government wants to make the parliament more effective and that constitutional amendments are necessary for various reforms.

The Chief Whip added that the government seeks cooperation from the opposition for the welfare of the country and hopes they will join the constitutional amendment committee soon.

US President Donald Trump has said he is seriously considering withdrawing the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He made the remarks in an interview with the British daily The Telegraph, according to a BBC report. Trump described NATO as a 'paper tiger' and claimed that the United Kingdom no longer has an effective navy. He added that he was never influenced by NATO and that Russian President Vladimir Putin also knows the alliance is weak.

When asked whether he would reconsider US membership in NATO amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Trump replied that the matter had gone beyond reconsideration. In the same interview, he mocked the UK's military capabilities, saying its navy was outdated and its aircraft carriers were not functioning properly.

Analysts believe Trump's comments could reignite international debate, as NATO has long been regarded as the cornerstone of military cooperation between the United States and European nations.

The Puja Celebration Front in Muradnagar, Comilla, has strongly protested what it described as false and malicious social media campaigns linking Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad MP to a temple fire. At a press conference held in Comilla city on March 31, 2026, the organization’s northern convener Dulal Debnath said certain groups were spreading misinformation to destroy communal harmony and damage the minister’s relationship with the Hindu community.

Speakers including Professor Din Dayal Pal, Doyananda Thakur, Ratan Das, and Bijon Kumar Das stated that the fire occurred near a banyan tree adjacent to the minister’s house, not inside a temple. They alleged that some Facebook pages intentionally circulated videos and photos to create fear between Hindus and Muslims. The speakers emphasized that Kaikobad had long supported underprivileged Hindus and maintained peaceful relations among all communities.

The Puja Celebration Front urged authorities to investigate the incident, bring those responsible under the law, and called on residents not to believe rumors that could disrupt Muradnagar’s communal peace.

Opposition lawmakers led by Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman walked out of the national parliament session on Wednesday, April 1, protesting the lack of action on convening a Constitutional Reform Council meeting and alleging that their proposal was being suppressed by another motion. The walkout occurred during a discussion on a motion related to constitutional reform.

In response, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told the parliament that walkouts are part of parliamentary culture and that the opposition has the right to do so. He emphasized that the statements made during the session should remain on record and clarified procedural issues regarding the motion. The minister explained that the motion had been accepted by the deputy speaker in the speaker’s absence, but he had objected earlier, noting that such matters should be handled under Rule 68 and that issues requiring legislation cannot be discussed through a motion.

He further stated that since the issue had already been discussed for two hours, parliamentary practice dictates that it is considered “talked out,” meaning no further voting is required after the discussion concludes.

New York City Mayor Zohra Mamdani has criticized the United States and Israel’s war against Iran, saying it should be opposed from every perspective. In an interview with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen, she stated that the conflict has already cost 23 billion dollars, despite Americans facing a crisis of affordable living costs.

Mamdani, who campaigned on a promise to reduce living expenses in New York City, argued that such a vast amount of money could have transformed the lives of working-class Americans if invested in Medicare, education, or student debt relief. She said that by pursuing another regime-change war, the government has thrown away opportunities to improve domestic welfare.

Her remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, highlight growing concerns about the financial and social costs of foreign military engagements amid economic challenges at home.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, stated that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen but not for the United States. He said it will remain accessible only to those who follow Iran’s new regulations. Azizi made the remarks addressing U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing that the 47 years of hospitality since the 1979 revolution have now permanently ended.

Azizi further commented that Trump has ultimately achieved his dream of changing Iran’s governance system, though this change has only affected the region’s maritime order. Meanwhile, Iran’s National Security Committee has approved a plan to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Fars News Agency.

The announcement underscores Iran’s intent to assert control over one of the world’s most strategic waterways, linking its domestic policy shifts to regional maritime operations.