BJP has campaigned on the promise of “crime-free politics,” yet 136 of its 336 ministers face criminal charges, including serious offenses like murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault. Even allies have leaders with pending cases. At the state level, most ministers in Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, and Puducherry face charges. While opposition parties also have accused ministers, BJP’s majority in power draws the most public scrutiny, raising doubts about the sincerity of its crime-free politics pledge.

US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that India and Russia have moved toward China after a summit hosted by President Xi Jinping in Tianjin. Trump shared a photo of Xi, Vladimir Putin, and Narendra Modi, expressing frustration over New Delhi and Moscow aligning with Beijing. India and China declined to comment, while the Kremlin was unreachable. Trump, who has criticized India’s trade practices and expressed disappointment with Putin, said he plans to speak with the Russian leader soon.

Abdullah Ibn Hanif Arian, contesting for the Science and Technology Secretary post in the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) election, announced Saturday he is withdrawing his candidacy.

Citing poor health, academic pressure, and personal commitments, Abdullah said he could not continue campaigning. He pledged moral support to his friend and fellow candidate, Ahad Bin Islam Shoaib. Abdullah, recently elected president of Dhaka University’s IT Society, said he considers student-led clubs more impactful than partisan politics.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has announced plans to restrict state medical aid (AME) for undocumented migrants, a move that could severely affect thousands of Bangladeshis living in France. The proposal includes excluding certain treatments, extending wait times for non-urgent care, and stricter financial checks. Humanitarian groups and doctors warn this may delay treatment, spread infectious diseases, and harm public health. Around 466,000 people currently rely on AME, costing about €1.2 billion annually—just 0.5% of France’s health budget.

Tension is mounting at Chittagong University (CU) after remarks by Jamaat leader and MP candidate for Chattogram-5, Sirajul Islam. Speaking Thursday evening in Jobra village, he claimed, “Chittagong University was built on our ancestral property. We are the landowners, and no one has the right to interfere with us. This university stands on our chest, and if it does not show us respect, we will mobilize the people to take necessary action.”

His comments enraged students, who view the remarks as provocative. Adding fuel to the debate, CU Shibir office secretary Habibullah Khaled said the recent clashes between students and locals stemmed from “misunderstandings,” and blamed “outsiders” for violence.

However, the CU branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir rejected both Sirajul’s comments and Khaled’s explanation, accusing local BNP student leaders of being directly involved in the clashes.

Pakistan’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, paid a courtesy call on BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

The meeting took place on Saturday morning at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. Discussions centered on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing mutual cooperation between the two nations.

BNP leaders Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Shama Obaid were also present during the meeting.

Rising rice prices in Bangladesh are putting pressure on both food and overall inflation, with medium and coarse rice accounting for more than half of food inflation in July. Prices of potatoes, onions, and some vegetables have helped moderate inflation. However, farmers are facing losses due to not receiving fair prices. The government is trying to stabilize the market through reduced duties and low-tax rice imports. Although production exceeds demand by 4 million tons, market imbalances have kept potato prices below production costs, raising concerns for future cultivation.

The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit concluded in Tianjin, China, with leaders including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China’s Xi Jinping, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin emphasizing regional peace, security, and economic cooperation for the Global South. The summit highlighted resolving border disputes, boosting trade, investment, and independent monetary systems to reduce reliance on foreign powers. Leaders stressed unity among developing nations to counter Western influence, strengthen multipolarity, and build a cooperative framework for sustainable growth and global stability.

The banned Awami League has been holding sudden rallies across Dhaka, including Tejgaon and Dhanmondi, with participation of over a thousand activists, sparking public concern over intelligence monitoring. Thirteen people, including former MP Saddam Hossain Pavel, were arrested for organizing rallies and providing financial support. Authorities have intensified surveillance, checkpoints, and directives to prevent future rallies, while ensuring involved individuals face legal action.

An international seminar in Delhi today reportedly aims to tarnish Bangladesh’s image and increase pressure on the caretaker government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Organized by a Delhi think tank, the event includes senior Indian military officials and four Bangladeshi participants known for pro-Awami League and anti-Bangladesh stances. Discussions will cover minority persecution, fundamentalism, secularism, and regional stability. Analysts warn India seeks to use this platform to influence Bangladesh’s politics and stress unity among July uprising supporters is crucial to counter these efforts.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a fiery attack on the ruling BJP from the state assembly floor, branding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP as “thieves.”

Her remarks came in response to the central government’s recent notification allowing minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who entered India before December 31, 2024, to stay without valid documents. BJP has framed the decision as a humanitarian step, but Mamata questioned its legitimacy.

“Was this law discussed in Parliament? Did it go through a standing committee? How can such a major decision be taken unilaterally? This is nothing but BJP’s attempt to manipulate voter lists before elections,” she said, adding, “But BJP will not win. Others will remain in this seat. BJP will cease to exist here.”

As Mamata spoke, BJP legislators disrupted proceedings by throwing papers, prompting the Speaker to suspend four of them. The Chief Minister accused BJP of being “anti-Bengali,” while BJP members retaliated with slogans branding Mamata a thief—sparking her direct counterattack naming Modi and Amit Shah.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas visited Ganadhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Saturday afternoon around noon.

Nur’s health condition has reportedly deteriorated, prompting Ganadhikar Parishad leaders to call for his immediate transfer abroad for advanced treatment. Party General Secretary Md. Rashed Khan and other central leaders were also present at the hospital.

Applications for refugee and political asylum from Bangladeshis are rising sharply worldwide. In 2024, tens of thousands applied in Europe, North America, and Asia, with the UK, Italy, and Canada receiving the highest numbers. Drivers include political instability, economic uncertainty, climate impacts, and personal safety concerns. Many enter countries illegally, while skilled professionals also migrate for work. Experts warn the trend harms Bangladesh’s international image, with authorities considering stricter legal measures to curb illegal migration and asylum-seeking.

Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher emphasized the need for higher healthcare budget allocation and the expansion of public-private partnerships in Bangladesh. He urged private healthcare providers to focus on quality service rather than profit and explore ways to reduce treatment costs. Highlighting corruption and inefficiency in both public and private sectors, he called for digitized promotion systems for doctors, government-backed policy support, and dedicated research cells to identify gaps and improve healthcare delivery nationwide.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused vested quarters of creating divisions in the name of religion through various fatwas. Speaking on Saturday, he said:

“Demolishing shrines and burning bodies is not part of the Prophet’s teachings. What we are witnessing is sheer anarchy. There seems to be an international conspiracy behind the unrest targeting the Tauhidi masses. Just as Sheikh Hasina conspired to tarnish the nation’s image during BNP’s rule, the interim government must investigate whether similar conspiracies are being hatched again.”

Rizvi further alleged that plots were being orchestrated from within the country itself. “Even during Pakistan’s rule, we never heard of attacks on shrines or cremation of bodies. Why has such chaos suddenly escalated in Bangladesh?” he questioned.