An analysis published on January 24, 2026, describes increasing harassment and marginalization of Muslim citizens in India, the world’s most populous country. The report argues that Muslims are often told they must remain politically silent to prove loyalty to the state, with their rights and visibility expected to be limited. It notes that since India’s independence in 1947, Muslims have actively participated in democratic and constitutional processes, but their space for legitimate political expression is now shrinking.

The article traces the roots of this ‘exceptionalism’ to the post-partition period, when staying Muslims were viewed as morally distinct from those who left. Historian Mushirul Hasan and theorists Mahmood Mamdani and Hilal Ahmed are cited to show how Muslims have been framed as either loyal and apolitical or suspect when politically active. Media portrayals reinforce this divide, labeling Muslims differently depending on whether they protest or remain silent.

The report concludes that such framing has become institutionalized, with legal and policy reforms presented as neutral while dissenting Muslim voices are dismissed as emotional or regressive.

The Trump administration has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Thailand, citing high rates of welfare claims by migrants. The decision has upended the plans of many Thais, such as 27-year-old Khaochat Mankong, who had been preparing to move to California with her American husband. The freeze affects EB-class employment visas and K-class spousal and dependent visas, leaving families and workers uncertain about their futures.

Thailand’s government has voiced disappointment at being grouped with poorer, conflict-affected nations like Afghanistan and Haiti. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met with US Charge D’Affairs Elizabeth J Konick to seek clarification, questioning the logic of the inclusion given Thailand’s long-standing alliance and economic contributions to the United States. The move comes amid already strained relations between Washington and Bangkok, worsened by US tariffs and stalled trade talks.

While some Thais support the policy as a measure to curb welfare misuse, others view it as unfair and damaging to bilateral ties. Analysts suggest the suspension reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to sharply restrict legal immigration.

United States President Donald Trump has faced sharp criticism from British politicians after claiming that NATO forces stayed away from the front lines during the war in Afghanistan. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the US had “never needed” NATO and suggested that allied forces were “a little off the front lines.” He also questioned whether NATO members would come to Washington’s aid if requested.

The comments triggered a backlash across the UK political spectrum, with critics citing the heavy losses suffered by NATO allies during the 20-year conflict. The United Kingdom lost 457 service personnel, while Canada, France, and Denmark also recorded significant casualties. Junior British minister Stephen Kinnock called Trump’s remarks “deeply disappointing,” emphasizing that European forces had paid a heavy price supporting US-led missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also reminded that NATO allies rallied behind the US after the September 11 attacks when Article 5 was invoked.

Other UK politicians, including Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, criticized Trump’s comments by pointing to his history of avoiding military service during the Vietnam War, calling his questioning of NATO sacrifices unacceptable.

Dhaka’s neighborhoods and alleys were filled with campaign activities on Friday as candidates from various political parties and independents reached out to voters ahead of the upcoming election. Taking advantage of the weekend, contenders began their outreach from early morning, visiting tea stalls, street corners, and homes to exchange greetings and listen to voter concerns. The day saw processions and small rallies featuring symbols such as the paddy sheaf, scale, water lily, hand fan, football, and duck.

Candidates from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and other alliances conducted door-to-door campaigns across constituencies including Dhaka-4, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-13, Dhaka-16, and Dhaka-18. Jamaat-led ten-party alliance candidates also held meetings and courtyard gatherings, while Islami Andolon’s leader, the Charmonai Pir, joined a rally in support of his party’s candidate in Dhaka-5. Independent candidates were similarly active, meeting voters in several constituencies.

The day’s activities reflected a renewed vibrancy in Dhaka’s election atmosphere, with streets and communities abuzz with campaigners and supporters engaging directly with residents.

A Washington Post report published on January 22 revealed that the United States seeks a ‘friendship’ with Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami, a once-banned Islamist party. The report cited a U.S. diplomat expressing conditional support, suggesting economic pressure could be used if the party pursued hardline policies. The article argues that this approach reflects strategic calculation rather than unconditional partnership. It also notes that Jamaat, once suppressed, has re-emerged as a key political force following Sheikh Hasina’s fall, with U.S. diplomats predicting its strongest electoral performance in the February 12 election.

The report highlights concerns that U.S. engagement with Jamaat could strain India–U.S. relations and deepen regional tensions. India views Jamaat as a security concern, while Bangladesh faces a test of democratic credibility amid foreign interest. Interim leader Dr. Yunus has promised a fair election, but questions remain about equal opportunity among parties.

A separate Al Jazeera report described how Bangladesh’s election has shifted online, with TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube becoming central campaign arenas. Digital platforms now shape political narratives, especially among young voters, signaling a transformation in how democracy is contested.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has dismissed allegations that party chairman Tarique Rahman violated the electoral code of conduct, describing them as completely false and part of a hyper propaganda campaign. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 24, after visiting the grave of the late Arafat Rahman Koko in Banani, Dhaka, on his death anniversary.

The allegations were raised by the National Citizen Party (NCP), whose Election Steering Committee Chairman Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan claimed that Tarique Rahman used loudspeakers for campaign activities past the permitted time of 8 p.m., continuing until midnight. Bhuiyan also accused the administration and Election Commission of favoring a particular political party and warned that their credibility would be damaged if no action was taken.

Rizvi countered that Tarique Rahman had postponed his northern region tour at the Election Commission’s request and later conducted campaign activities in accordance with its regulations.

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Canada for opposing the proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense system in Greenland, warning that Beijing could 'devour' Canada within a year. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump said Canada was rejecting U.S. security in favor of closer business ties with China. He argued that the Golden Dome would protect Canada and accused Ottawa of benefiting from U.S. defense without gratitude.

Trump’s comments came amid rising tensions between Washington and Ottawa following Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump reiterated that Canada survives because of U.S. protection, while Carney rejected the claim, asserting that Canada’s success stems from its own people.

The dispute highlights growing friction between the two neighbors over defense cooperation and trade alignment, as Canada continues to balance its economic relationships with both the United States and China.

A growing military alignment among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey has evolved beyond diplomatic statements into tangible cooperation involving joint exercises, defense technology exchange, and financial investment. Pakistan’s large active force, Saudi Arabia’s high defense spending, and Turkey’s advanced defense industry have together created a developing security framework that India views with concern. New joint drills and drone technology transfers are seen as enhancing Pakistan’s capabilities, prompting India to reassess its strategic calculations.

India’s defense establishment is particularly alert to Turkey’s political stance on Kashmir and its close ties with Pakistan, which have stalled India-Turkey defense dialogues. While maintaining strong economic and energy links with Saudi Arabia, India seeks to ensure that Riyadh’s cooperation with Islamabad and Ankara does not evolve into an anti-India platform.

For Bangladesh, the article argues, joining any military bloc could undermine its balanced foreign policy and peacekeeping reputation. The author concludes that maintaining restraint, neutrality, and strategic autonomy best serves Bangladesh’s long-term national and regional interests.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced his plan to transform northern Bangladesh into the capital of agro-based industries during a series of election rallies on Friday, January 23, 2026. Speaking at a large gathering in Panchagarh’s sugar mill field, he said closed sugar mills would be reopened and workers reinstated. The event marked his first election rally outside Dhaka, followed by similar meetings in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Rangpur, which drew enthusiastic participation from party supporters.

Dr. Rahman accused successive governments of deliberately keeping northern Bangladesh impoverished and pledged to change the region’s economic landscape within five years. He promised to establish specialized hospitals in every district, recover embezzled funds allegedly laundered abroad, and eliminate corruption and extortion. In Dinajpur, he vowed to build agro-industries and storage facilities for potatoes and lychees, while in Thakurgaon he promised to upgrade Saidpur Airport to international standards and ensure fair prices for farmers.

In Rangpur, Dr. Rahman said his alliance would implement the Teesta Master Plan and create employment instead of unemployment benefits. He urged voters to support the ten-party alliance and mark “yes” in the upcoming referendum.

Former state minister for education and BNP candidate for Chandpur-1 constituency, Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon, has accused a rival political party of deceiving the public by claiming that voting for them would guarantee entry to heaven. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon at the inauguration of his election campaign in Nayakandi village under Sacher Union of Kachua, Chandpur.

Milon said that if people could attain heaven simply by voting, they would abandon religious practices. Highlighting his previous tenure as state minister, he claimed to have made examinations free from cheating, stopped the killing of juvenile hilsa fish, and relocated the Chandpur launch terminal to reduce passenger suffering and accidents. He pledged that, if re-elected in the February 12 election, he would transform Kachua into the country's leading education hub.

The event was chaired by Kachua Upazila Jubo Dal president Md. Mohiuddin Majumdar and attended by local BNP and affiliated organization leaders, including members of the Bangladesh Olama Dal.

Candidates and supporters from various political parties have become increasingly active in campaigning for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. Despite a festive atmosphere, concerns over safety have intensified following incidents including the shooting of a BNP leader and the arrest of two armed suspects from a Jamaat candidate’s rally. Jamaat-e-Islami leaders have alleged an attempted murder of their Dhaka-7 candidate, Hafez Enayet Ullah, and demanded stronger government and Election Commission action to ensure a fear-free vote.

Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair emphasized that maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the administration and law enforcement agencies. Party leaders accused the government of ignoring repeated calls to recover illegal weapons and prosecute past political killings. The National Citizens Party and BNP also expressed alarm, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condemning recent attacks and warning of conspiracies to derail the election.

Opposition parties have urged immediate and effective measures from the government and Election Commission to restore public confidence and prevent further violence during the campaign period.

Independent candidate Barrister Rumin Farhana formally began her election campaign for the Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail–Ashuganj and part of Bijoynagar) constituency on Friday evening with a large rally at the remote village of Parmanandpur in Pakshimul Union. Speaking as the chief guest, she declared that she would no longer tolerate the neglect of the area and pledged to ensure its development regardless of which party holds power. She emphasized that development should not be the monopoly of any political group.

Farhana described the severe communication problems in the region, recounting her own difficult journey to reach the rally site by car, boat, and autorickshaw through sandy roads. She announced plans to build a bridge on the Bhuiashwar–Parmanandpur road and to pave roads across the area as part of her election commitments. She also promised to work for the improvement of schools, colleges, madrasas, mosques, and temples using both government and personal initiatives.

The rally, attended by a large number of local voters and BNP-affiliated leaders, marked the official start of her campaign under the ‘duck’ symbol.

Election Commissioner Md. Abdur Rahmanel Machud stated that the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum will be completely free, fair, credible, and conducted with integrity. He made the remarks on Friday, January 23, during a meeting with polling officials at Sitakunda Degree College in Chattogram, emphasizing that the election will not be a mockery or whimsical process.

The commissioner said that past elections had been turned into a farce, which was undesirable, and stressed that the country should not be a place for such mockery. He assured that the forthcoming election would be fair, accurate, and trusted by the people. He also noted that blaming the patriotic police force for the actions of a few individuals was unjust and that such situations would not be allowed to recur.

The meeting, organized by the Sitakunda Upazila Administration and Election Office, was chaired by Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia and attended by senior officials, including the Divisional Commissioner, Regional Election Officer, and Superintendent of Police.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to establishing justice in Bangladesh. Speaking on Saturday morning in Rangpur after visiting the grave of Abu Saeed, he said the party is moving forward inspired by Abu Saeed’s sacrifice. He pledged that Jamaat would never compromise the country’s dignity and would resist injustice at any cost.

Dr. Rahman stated that Abu Saeed and others entrusted the nation’s honor to them through their sacrifices, and Jamaat would protect that trust. He emphasized the party’s goal of building a corruption-free and discrimination-free Bangladesh based on justice, aligning its vision with that of the martyrs. He also assured supporters that the party would remain with them through all crises.

After the grave visit, Dr. Rahman met Abu Saeed’s family and prayed for the martyr’s forgiveness. He is scheduled to address a series of election rallies throughout the day in Gaibandha, Bogura, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Ullapara, and Pabna.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman visited the grave of martyr Abu Saeed in Pirganj, Rangpur, on Saturday morning. After offering prayers, he met Abu Saeed’s father and elder brother at their home. During the visit, he prayed for the forgiveness of Abu Saeed and sought divine help for the nation to resist domination and follow the path of the martyrs.

The Jamaat leader was accompanied by party assistant secretary Maulana Abdul Halim, NCP central member secretary Akhtar Hossain, and Shibir central secretary Sibgatullah Sibga. Following the visit, Dr. Rahman was scheduled to address election rallies throughout the day in several districts, including Gaibandha, Bogura, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Ullapara, and Pabna.

The visit and subsequent rallies mark part of Jamaat-e-Islami’s ongoing political activities ahead of upcoming elections, as the party leadership continues outreach across northern Bangladesh.