Prime Minister’s adviser and BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said Eid-e-Miladunnabi would remain a unique example for following the path shown by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In a message issued Tuesday marking the occasion, he described the day as commemorating the arrival of Hazrat Muhammad, whom he called the greatest figure in the world.

Rizvi said the Prophet represented peace, harmony and human values for humanity, and that his ideals of compassion, generosity and concern for people offer enduring lessons. He highlighted the Prophet’s honesty, humility, justice, respect for elders and affection for children, saying he opposed falsehood from his youth and never betrayed a trust.

He said Prophet Muhammad received prophethood at age 40 and spread the message of tawhid despite hardship, sacrifice and persecution. Rizvi said the Quran was revealed as guidance for humanity. He added that Muslims draw inspiration from the Prophet’s life to build disciplined lives and uphold humanity. He conveyed greetings and wished peace, welfare and prosperity for the country and the Muslim ummah. BNP will hold a milad and prayer gathering Wednesday at 10:30am at its Nayapaltan central office in the capital.

Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent face of India’s widely discussed ‘Cockroach’ youth movement, has called for reforms to the country’s political system and the selection of honest, capable leaders. The 60-year-old engineer, environmental activist and educator said public trust in elections, examinations and government officials has declined. He began a hunger strike supporting the movement on June 28 and ended it on July 24 after 26 days, during which he lost about 11 kilograms and his health became critical.

The movement began in May over allegations of a leaked question paper for India’s national medical college entrance examination. The cancellation of the examination affected about 2 million students, prompting young people to protest in Delhi and other places. Protesters’ main demand was the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

After weeks of protests, police repression and Wangchuk’s fast, Pradhan resigned on July 25, a development protesters viewed as a major political success. Wangchuk said young people had overcome fear and regained the power to protest. He opposes forming a political party and instead wants the movement to remain a pressure-building citizens’ campaign that holds the government accountable on education and other public-interest issues.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Tuesday that the appointment of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir under the technocrat quota is not constitutional if he retains dual citizenship. In a press release, TIB also said his acceptance of the post without clearly explaining his position on the matter raises questions.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman cited Articles 56(2), 66(2)(c) and 66(2a) of the Constitution. He said a person appointed minister or state minister without being an MP must be eligible to be elected an MP, while a person who has acquired foreign citizenship or acknowledged allegiance to a foreign state is ineligible. He said reports from reliable sources indicated Kabir has foreign citizenship and involvement in that country’s active politics.

TIB expressed concern over Kabir’s reported counter-questions to journalists, calling them an example of a “shoot the messenger” tendency and a threat to media freedom and the public’s right to information. Law Minister Asaduzzaman said Tuesday that Kabir took the oath constitutionally. TIB urged Kabir to clarify his dual-citizenship status and called for disclosure by other officials facing similar questions.

An opinion article says Bangladesh has told India that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to Delhi requires a favorable environment. It says Bangladesh also sought the return of Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives convicted of crimes against humanity who are in India. The article attributes to the state minister for foreign affairs that there is no rush for the prime minister to visit India and that he will travel when conditions are favorable.

The article portrays Indian media, former diplomats and Awami League campaigners as criticizing Bangladesh’s position and arguing that the prime minister should have accepted the invitation immediately. It says some Indian voices warned about possible disruptions to diesel and electricity supplies, while arguing that Bangladesh purchases rather than receives such supplies for free.

It also discusses speculation about Bangladesh joining a possible Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan economic or defense framework. According to the article, no formal discussion or invitation has taken place. It cites State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir as saying the government follows a balanced foreign policy under a “Bangladesh First” approach and would consider any framework based on national interests.

The government has formed a cabinet committee to support the Ministry of Agriculture on fertiliser-related matters. A notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Tuesday, 25 August, said the committee will monitor fertiliser lifting, distribution and fertiliser dealer appointment activities across the country and provide necessary advice to the ministry.

Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Abu Jafar Md. Zahid Hossain has been named convener of the committee. Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam have been appointed as members.

The Ministry of Agriculture will provide secretarial support to the committee. The notification was signed by Cabinet Division Additional Secretary for Committees and Economic Affairs Md. Humayun Kabir on behalf of the President. It said the committee's formation will take effect immediately.

A proposal to name a wholesale fish market in Surat, Gujarat, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has triggered controversy among fish traders. The Surat Fish Merchant Association inaugurated the market on Monday with a banner reading “Shri Narendra Modi Wholesale Fish Market” and carrying Modi’s photograph. After objections from a section of the association, the banner was covered with white cloth on Tuesday.

The market is Surat’s first municipal corporation-operated wholesale fish market and has space for 80 fish-selling shops or outlets. Its construction received funding under the central government’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: the central and Gujarat governments each provided 3 crore rupees, while Surat Municipal Corporation contributed 1.5 crore rupees. During the inauguration, some traders argued over the proposed name.

Fish trader Surendra Lashkari opposed the naming, saying it could affect Modi’s image and identity because the prime minister is vegetarian. Association president Kalpesh Navsariwala defended it, citing project funding and Modi’s emphasis on fisheries development. Municipal authorities said the proposal is before the cultural committee, followed by approval processes through the standing committee and general board.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman Partha said democracy is not a mechanical system but a matter of mindset, speaking at a regular briefing at the Department of Information conference centre in the Secretariat on Tuesday. He said the country had lacked a willingness to hear criticism over the past 17 years and television channels had been compelled to speak in support of the government.

The minister said the current government has pledged to change that mindset and has clearly stated that it will not control anyone or silence anyone. He urged the media to play a responsible role as Bangladesh passes through what he described as the most difficult period in its history and attempts to repair a broken system.

Asked whether the government was taking new steps to bring former fugitive prime minister Sheikh Hasina back from India, Partha said the effort was continuing. Referring to a report by The Indian Express, he said India might leave the matter to its courts, adding that the situation would not be pleasant if it reached an Indian court. He also claimed there had been no malign influence on media in the past six months, no intelligence-agency calls about publishing news, and no government-backed disappearances or extrajudicial killings.

The government has formed a three-member cabinet committee to provide necessary advice and support to the Ministry of Agriculture on fertiliser lifting, distribution and fertiliser dealer appointment activities nationwide. A notification on the committee was issued on Tuesday by the Cabinet Division’s committee-related branch.

Abu Jafar Md. Zahid Hossain, minister for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and the Ministry of Social Welfare, has been named convener of the committee. Its other members are Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam.

Under its terms of reference, the committee will monitor fertiliser lifting, distribution and dealer appointment activities across the country and provide the Ministry of Agriculture with necessary advice. The notification said the Ministry of Agriculture will provide the committee with required secretarial support.

Amdaṅga legislator Kasem Siddiqui has returned to the camp of All India Trinamool Congress chief and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, months after joining a rebel faction. At a Monday press conference alongside Beleghata legislator Kunal Ghosh, Siddiqui said he had been misled into taking the earlier decision and would remain with Banerjee in future.

Siddiqui said he had believed Banerjee was the leader of the faction led by rebel legislator Ritabrata Banerjee. After joining it, he said, he realised the group had no connection with her. He said voters had supported Banerjee and that he had campaigned in Amdaṅga using her posters. Siddiqui also alleged that legislators were called to only one meeting and signed a letter amid confusion after being told Banerjee would remain their leader.

Ghosh similarly alleged that signatures had been obtained through confusion and misinformation, saying the stated reason for signing did not match the actual situation. On the same day, former Amdaṅga legislator Rafikur Rahman met Ritabrata Banerjee, prompting fresh political speculation around the two developments.

Water Resources Minister Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said Bangladesh would remain more vigilant to prevent its people from facing any form of Indian water aggression. He made the remarks on Tuesday, August 25, after inspecting the flood-control embankment area of the Muhuri River in Parshuram, Feni. He said India should consider how to maintain a positive relationship with neighbouring Bangladesh as a friendly country.

The minister said the government would confront corruption, while noting that corruption and misrule had been a trend in the country for 17 years. He said he had a personal responsibility, as a son of greater Noakhali, to ensure the project and other national projects are completed properly and without corruption or undue influence.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to inaugurate the project next month, with completion targeted by 2030. The ECNEC-approved first phase is valued at Tk1,542.16 crore and has not yet begun. It includes embankment rehabilitation, riverbank protection, dredging, irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation and inlet construction. The minister said compensation would be provided if land acquisition is needed in the second phase.

The Sylhet Development Authority, known as SIUK, has formally begun operations to pursue planned, coordinated and sustainable development in Sylhet city. Its temporary office at Hotel Fortune Garden in the Nayorpool area was inaugurated on Tuesday afternoon by Commerce, Textiles and Jute and Industries Minister Khandkar Abdul Muktadir MP and Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher MP.

SIUK said it will work on a master plan and implement short-, medium- and long-term plans to address prolonged unplanned urbanisation, weak coordination among development agencies and challenges linked to future city expansion. Khandkar Abdul Muktadir described the launch of the new government institution as welcome news for Sylhet residents and said it must play an effective role in the city’s future development and urban management.

The minister stressed that government and service-providing agencies need coordination while implementing development projects, warning that a lack of coordination can create new problems after work is completed. Earlier, SIUK Chairman Rezaul Hasan Kays Lodi said proposals had been sent to the Housing and Public Works Ministry to create 714 posts in 67 revenue-sector categories, along with staffing needs, pay structures, recruitment qualifications and regulations.

Rajib Das Purkayastha has been appointed as the new upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Satkania in Chattogram, replacing Khondkar Mahmudul Hasan. A notification issued by the Chattogram divisional commissioner’s office on 24 August announced the posting of Rajib Das Purkayastha, who had been serving as UNO of Naniarchar in Rangamati.

The notification said the BCS administration cadre officer was transferred from Naniarchar to Satkania, described in the report as an important and populous upazila. He had taken charge in Naniarchar about two months earlier. In a separate notification dated 23 August, the Ministry of Public Administration attached Mahmudul Hasan to the Dhaka division for his next posting, ending his assignment in Satkania.

Sources said Mahmudul Hasan had previously received transfer orders to the Rangpur division and Mahalchhari upazila in Khagrachhari, but remained in Satkania amid allegations of lobbying. The report said Satkania faces issues including flood and waterlogging damage, transport development, implementation of government projects, law and order, and other administrative work. Rajib Das Purkayastha’s joining will mark new leadership for the upazila administration.

A report alleges that three Bangladesh-India agreements signed or revised during the Awami League period gave India broad access to Bangladesh’s ports, waterways and land routes. The agreements are the Agreement on the Use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for Movement of Goods to and from India, the Coastal Shipping Agreement, and the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade. The report says Chattogram, Mongla, Payra and Pangaon can be used under these arrangements, while concerns remain about Bangladesh’s economic, security and strategic gains.

The Chattogram-Mongla port agreement was signed on October 25, 2018, after a June 6, 2015 memorandum, with an implementation procedure signed on October 5, 2019. A trial container shipment travelled from Kolkata to Agartala via Chattogram in 2020. Critics cited in the report say provisions on port priority, charges, customs inspections and unclear cargo-sharing terms disproportionately favour India.

The water transit protocol, first concluded in 1972 and amended in 2015, renews automatically every five years. The report says it was renewed in 2020 and 2025 without fresh negotiations. Commentators called for the agreements to be made public, reviewed in parliament and reassessed according to Bangladesh’s national interests.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said the 11-party alliance will begin a Dhaka-Chattogram long march on September 5, describing it as the opposition bloc’s first and largest programme. Speaking at a news conference at the party’s central office in Maghbazar, Dhaka, he said the march would press six main demands, including implementation of the referendum verdict.

Participants are scheduled to gather at Shapla Chattar at 7am before travelling towards Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram. Parwar said top leaders of the 11 parties would hold roadside meetings at six or seven points, and that the convoy would include more than 1,000 vehicles. He said preparations have included district, upazila and metropolitan programmes, rallies, demonstrations, roundtable discussions and publicity campaigns.

Organisers have formed reception, medical, transport, publicity, IT, volunteer, cultural, security and administrative liaison units. They submitted routes and rally schedules for four planned long marches to the inspector general of police, Parwar said. He added that one side of the Dhaka-Chattogram double road would remain open for public travel, while apologising in advance for possible temporary congestion.

Thirty-nine of 41 government Chandina Vhita plots beside the Water Development Board in Shashiganj Bazar, Tazumuddin, are reportedly still occupied by Awami League leaders and supporters. The plots were intended for genuine traders, but the report says political figures, pro-Awami League teachers and government employees are retaining them and collecting rent. Government rules reportedly do not permit renting out the houses or constructing buildings, yet some occupants have built two-storey structures and rented them out.

According to the Tazumuddin Upazila Land Office, the 41 plots in the upazila headquarters were last allocated for one year in 2014. No new allocation has been made since then, and the names of previous allottees continue to be renewed annually. The office said it could not provide information about renting or construction. A review of the allocation list named several Awami League leaders, affiliated figures and public employees among the 2014 allottees.

Traders in Tazumuddin Bazar have expressed anger and demanded that the plots be reallocated to genuine businesses. They submitted an application to the upazila executive officer on April 2 seeking reallocation. Executive Officer Bani Amin said the allegations had been received and the assistant commissioner for land and a union surveyor were directed to investigate and submit a report.