Gono Adhikar Parishad leader Rashed Khan has ruled out forming any fresh political alliances, emphasizing instead the need to strengthen the unity of anti-fascist forces.

“Different political parties may have their own programs and demands, which must be respected in a democratic state,” he said. “But we will not be part of any move that risks fragmenting the anti-fascist struggle and paves the way for an Awami League comeback. Our priority is building unity to completely eradicate fascism.”

Rashed pointed to recent multi-party meetings at the party office and solidarity rallies at Shahbagh as steps toward this goal. “We must unite the entire nation to achieve economic prosperity, equality, human dignity, and justice. There is no alternative to staying united, as urged yesterday by the Honorable Chief Adviser,” he added.

A Dhaka court has acquitted BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, senior leader Mirza Abbas, and 106 others in two cases of violence from 2013.

Judge Sabbir Faiz accepted a police final report and cleared 77 accused, including Fakhrul, Abbas, and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, in a case involving the torching of vehicles in Shahbagh in 2019.

In a separate case over clashes during a protest march in Shantinagar on March 2, 2013, Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Wahiduzzaman acquitted Fakhrul and 29 other BNP leaders and activists.

The cases stemmed from BNP’s demonstrations demanding a caretaker government, which led to violent clashes with police and ruling party supporters.

Gono Adhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur has been released from Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) after 18 days of treatment. He left the hospital in an ambulance and has since been taken to his residence in Rampura’s Metropolitan Project area.

DMCH Director General Dr. Md. Asaduzzaman confirmed that Nur’s condition had improved significantly, prompting the medical board to approve his discharge. Speaking briefly while leaving the hospital, Nur said, “I’m not fully recovered yet. For now, I will rest at home and later seek treatment at another hospital.”

Family sources confirmed that Nur has been moved to his Rampura home for continued care.

A delegation of top industrialists met Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman for a courtesy call to discuss the country’s investment climate and labor issues.

The delegation included Square Group MD Tapan Chowdhury, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, and Employers’ Federation President Fazle Shamim Ehsan.

Discussions focused on industrial growth prospects, new investments, and challenges surrounding the upcoming 2025 labor law. Rahman emphasized improving labor-employer relations to safeguard industries and sustain economic stability. He also thanked the business leaders for their visit and concern for his health.

Jamaat leader Hamidur Rahman Azad has reaffirmed that his party practices politics within Bangladesh’s legal and constitutional framework, acknowledging the country’s independence as non-negotiable.

“Denying the Liberation War would mean denying Bangladesh itself,” Azad said. He stressed that elections based on the legal framework of the July Charter would be both fair and historically significant.

He further stated that establishing good governance, justice, democracy, and accountability requires reforms under the July Charter’s legal foundation. Azad suggested that anchoring this constitutional order in Article 7 — which enshrines people’s sovereignty — and validating it through a referendum would make it the strongest possible framework.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that the collective efforts of Bangladesh’s youth will help the country emerge as a developed, humane, and innovative nation.

Highlighting the role of youth in education, healthcare, environmental protection, poverty reduction, and social justice, Yunus emphasized that no barrier can halt progress when driven by innovation and determination.

He stressed that volunteerism is not only a service to humanity but also a path to self-development, character building, and leadership. Calling on young people to apply their talent and creativity to national progress, Yunus presented the Youth Award 2025 to 12 outstanding individuals for their contributions to nation-building.

Islamic Movement chief Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim has said that Islamic political parties are close to reaching a consensus on consolidating their votes in the upcoming national elections.

He announced a series of protest programs — September 18 in Dhaka, September 19 in divisional cities, and September 26 across districts and upazilas — pressing a five-point demand that includes implementing proportional representation, ensuring a level playing field, and upholding the “July Charter.”

Karim warned that sidelining reforms and justice while prioritizing elections indicates a return to “old arrangements.” He hinted at a joint movement if the government does not respond positively. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami announced similar programs separately.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a series of protest rallies demanding a national charter and five-point reforms, while warning of tougher movements if elections are not held under a proportional representation (PR) system.

Naib-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher revealed the schedule: a rally in Dhaka on September 18, divisional protests the next day, and nationwide demonstrations on September 26.

He cautioned that without a legal framework for the July Charter, mass uprisings could falter. Taher also noted that several parties may join under similar demands, though he stopped short of calling it a united movement. Talks with other pro-Charter groups are reportedly ongoing.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Allama Ahmadullah, the head of Chattogram’s Al Jamia Al-Islamia Patiya Madrasa.

In a condolence message, Tarique described Ahmadullah as a revered scholar whose teachings in Qur’an and Hadith inspired countless students to lead righteous lives. “His humility, wisdom, and courtesy made him beloved by all. With his death, the nation has lost a dedicated alim whose absence will not be easily filled,” he said.

Tarique prayed for the scholar’s departed soul and extended sympathy to the bereaved family and followers.

New York Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani declared on Saturday that, if elected, he would order the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival in the city.

Calling it a pledge he intends to fulfill, Mamdani said, “This city will stand with international law. Despite the U.S. not recognizing the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction, we will honor the arrest warrant.”

The ICC issued a warrant against Netanyahu last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. In February 2024, former U.S. President Donald Trump had retaliated against ICC judges following the warrant.

Nearly 300 Bangladeshi expatriates gathered in Tokyo on Saturday evening for the National Committee of Protest (NCP)’s remembrance event titled “Remembering Our July Heroes.”

The program featured a documentary on the martyrs and wounded of the July Movement, followed by speeches from leaders Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwari, and Mahbub Alam. They emphasized constitutional reforms, warning that without them, “fascists like Sheikh Hasina will continue their reign.”

Several individuals were honored for their contributions to the July uprising. NCP delegates are expected to return to Bangladesh on September 17.

LDP Secretary General Dr. Redwan Ahmed downplayed fears that Islami Chhatra Shibir’s victory in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) polls signals a larger national trend.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “Shibir did not win with its own votes alone. Students from diverse political leanings backed them, largely as a protest against the ruling party. But national elections are different—people vote for parties and their symbols.”

Redwan added that BNP, backed by allied parties in the ongoing joint movement, is poised to contest and win the upcoming general elections. He accused India of undermining Bangladesh’s democracy to keep Sheikh Hasina in power, insisting, “The people never voted to keep her there.”

A Dhaka court has acquitted BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Mirza Abbas and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, along with 70 others, in a case filed under the Special Powers Act over allegations of torching a motorcycle in the Shahbagh area.

The court granted them relief after accepting a final police report that recommended dropping the charges.

According to case records, the incident occurred on December 11, 2019, a day before a High Court hearing on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s bail in the Zia Charitable Trust case. It was alleged that the accused set fire to a motorcycle near the High Court’s mazar gate area, causing damage.

Following the incident, Shahbagh Police Sub-Inspector Idris Ali filed a case under the Special Powers Act. After investigation, the police submitted a final report on May 10 this year, recommending exemption for all 70 accused individuals. The court accepted the findings, formally clearing the BNP leaders of all charges.

Indian National Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has cautioned that New Delhi should be ready for a future where no dependable friend remains in power in Dhaka.

In a recent opinion piece, Tharoor argued that the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election cannot be dismissed as a routine campus vote. Instead, he described it as a barometer of Bangladesh’s shifting political landscape.

According to him, the recent outcome reflects more than just a tilt toward Islamist fundamentalism—it signals deep-seated public disillusionment with both the Awami League and the BNP. Over time, he wrote, people have lost trust in these two dominant parties, creating a political vacuum that Jamaat-e-Islami has exploited by presenting itself as a “clean” alternative.

Tharoor observed that following Sheikh Hasina’s exit, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been struggling through instability, creating fertile ground for Jamaat’s resurgence. He warned that the path is now open for Jamaat to make significant gains in the next general election, potentially emerging as a dominant force in a coalition or even a majority-led government.

Such an outcome, Tharoor stressed, would complicate India’s regional interests. A hardline administration in Dhaka could embolden anti-India groups in border regions with assistance from Pakistan’s ISI, while also heightening risks for Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community.

He urged New Delhi to closely monitor Bangladesh’s volatile political climate, maintain open dialogue with all emerging political forces, and prepare for a scenario where Dhaka no longer offers India a trustworthy partner in government.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hamidur Rahman Azad has said that the upcoming national election will only be free, fair, and acceptable if held on the basis of the July Charter.

Speaking after a consensus commission meeting chaired by the Chief Adviser, Azad stated that there are two possible ways to implement the charter:

Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) – which has historical precedent in the country.

Referendum – also rooted in Bangladesh’s political history.

Highlighting the government’s earlier commitments, Azad said:

First, reforms were promised.

Second, justice for war crimes and genocide.

Third, a festive, historic, and credible election.

“We want to believe that under the Chief Adviser’s guidance, a level playing field will be ensured in the next election,” Azad remarked.

However, he expressed concerns over recent central student union polls, citing irregularities in both the electoral process and result announcements. “We see this as a negative signal. If such trends continue, they could affect the upcoming national election as well,” he warned.

Azad urged that the reforms process under the July Charter be brought to a dignified conclusion. He also called for the extension of the Consensus Commission’s tenure, expressing hope that it would be finalized under the leadership of Professor Ali Riaz.