As the National Board of Revenue (NBR) prepares to split into two divisions, the Revenue and Customs cadres remain firm in their demand that the newly created senior secretary posts be reserved for them based on merit and eligibility. Both the BCS Taxation and Customs Cadre Associations have strongly advocated for this claim. The BCS Customs Cadre Association has already held an emergency general meeting. Notably, the movement is reportedly being influenced by pro-Awami League elements, with former Tax Commissioner AKM Borhan Uddin—a known political affiliate during the Awami regime—allegedly playing a leading role. However, the protesting officers insist that this justified demand must remain free from political exploitation.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, senior vice president of Islami Andolon, expelled journalist Monika Chowdhury from a press conference, stating, “Women journalists are not allowed.” Monika said she was taking photographs when she was asked to leave. Despite other reporters requesting she be allowed to stay, Faizul insisted. He explained, “As a devout Muslim, I follow my religion fully. I have the freedom to practice my faith, but must also follow state laws.” He also mentioned an upcoming court hearing on Barisal’s mayoral issue and urged supporters not to gather or obstruct court proceedings.

Al Jazeera has released a 49-minute documentary detailing enforced disappearances, killings, and the July uprising under Sheikh Hasina’s regime, as well as the future of democracy in Bangladesh. The documentary features interviews with the Chief Adviser, army officials, and victims of state repression. It also exposes atrocities like torture and forced disappearances under the authoritarian government and sheds light on the massacre during the July uprising and alleged overseas money laundering.

At the launch of the Bangladesh District and Divisional Sports Organizers Association, BNP leader and former footballer Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said, “I warned Shakib not to join the Awami League. Had he listened, he wouldn’t be in this situation today. He can’t even go home now.” Hafiz emphasized Shakib’s fame was enough—he didn’t need politics. Addressing cricketer Tamim Iqbal, also on stage, Hafiz said, “Be cautious about your path.” Regarding a photo with Shakib, Hafiz said, “I did nothing shameful.”

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is scheduled to return to Bangladesh from London on Monday via a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. However, cabin crew Al Kubrun Nahar Cosmic and Md. Kamrul Islam Bipan were removed from duty late at night. Intelligence reports indicate Cosmic frequently served on Sheikh Rehana's flights and allegedly used political ties to secure government benefits. She received 18 show-cause notices and was grounded multiple times. Kamrul Islam is also reportedly linked to various ruling party activities.

Fariduzzaman Farhad, Chairman of the Nationalist Unity Alliance, stated that prolonged governance by unelected authorities leads to various problems in the country. Addressing Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, he urged, “Please arrange such an election where people can say, after 15 long years, they have witnessed a true vote. A vote where no one could coerce or buy my choice.” Farhad warned that a long-standing unelected government creates multifaceted issues. He added that his party, NPP, agrees with 112 out of the 166 proposals of the National Consensus Commission, disagrees with 26, and partially agrees with 28.

At a Hefazat-e-Islam rally in Suhrawardy Udyan, Hasnat Abdullah declared, “We will continue our movement with our last drop of blood until Sheikh Hasina is executed.” He claimed the Awami League has politically died in Bangladesh and is now buried in India. Calling the party undemocratic, he accused Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of stifling democracy by establishing BAKSAL and killing 30,000 JASAD members. He warned against rehabilitating those responsible for violence against Hefazat supporters and claimed the decision for Awami League to participate in the next election rests with the opposition. “Dr. Yunus, don’t forget—it was us who brought you to power,” he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has claimed that 26 trillion BDT was laundered during the Awami League regime. “A white paper should be published on how the wealth was stolen and by whom since independence,” he said. Rahman proposed two ideal timeframes for the next election: before Ramadan in February or by April. He cautioned against delaying reforms and judicial transparency beyond April due to the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha and potential weather disruptions.

Nurul Haque Nur has called for the immediate announcement of a roadmap for national elections, claiming that 2,000 people were killed and 30,000 injured in a mass uprising. “There has been no visible justice. We demand the Awami League be banned as a terrorist organization,” he said. Nur criticized ongoing extortion and land grabbing, noting that despite past protests, the public has not joined due to a lack of trust in political parties. He warned certain parties not to assume absolute control, citing the downfall of the Awami League as a cautionary tale. He also criticized the military’s reported acceptance of free treatment offers from India, calling it an insult to the national healthcare system.

Speaking at a protest on May 2, Hasnat Abdullah declared that banning the Awami League is not a request but a decision of the people. Addressing Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, he said the government owes its authority to the sacrifices of wounded and martyred citizens. Sarjis Alam echoed the sentiment, saying the student-public coalition had delivered its verdict nine months ago and would do so again.

Akhtar Hossain, leader of the NCP, has demanded that the Awami League be removed from the list of registered political parties and declared a terrorist organization. He accused the party of committing crimes against humanity and oppressing the people of Bangladesh. Hossain called on the interim government to recognize its role as a government of public uprising and act accordingly.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on May 4 via a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London, landing in Sylhet and then Dhaka. Authorities proposed modifying the flight route to London-Dhaka-Sylhet to accommodate her medical needs. However, in a gesture of compassion, Khaleda Zia declined the proposal, citing concern for the inconvenience it might cause other passengers, her press aide Shamsuddin Didar confirmed.

On World Press Freedom Day, Tarique Rahman wrote that despite authoritarian rule, journalists remained committed to exposing corruption, human rights abuses, and state failures. He urged unity in defending press freedom and the safety of courageous journalists. “Journalists are pillars of democracy and must be protected from censorship and violence,” he said, adding that media enjoyed true freedom during BNP rule.

NCP Joint Secretary Mahin Sarkar declared that the only way Sheikh Hasina could return to Bangladesh is “with a noose around her neck.” He stated that the uprising began the day Hasina labeled them as traitors. “Erasing Bengali nationalism in the name of the constitution will leave no room for human rights,” he said. He called the 2024 movement “the world’s largest digital revolution,” one that resonates with the oppressed in Kashmir and Palestine as well.

Myanmar’s military junta revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami proposed the formation of a separate state for Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine during talks with the Chinese Communist Party. The junta accused Jamaat of undermining Myanmar’s sovereignty and pursuing political gains. It also reiterated its stance of referring to Rohingyas as “Bengali refugees” and stated that repatriation talks with Bangladesh continue regularly in Kunming, China. The junta plans to verify and register refugees before return and aims to build housing for them.