Khelafat Majlis leader Mufti Shihabuddin has demanded an immediate halt to the construction of a sculpture allegedly contradicting the ideals of Shaheed Abu Sayeed. He also criticized the Mongol Shobhajatra (New Year’s parade), calling it a promotion of Hindu culture influenced by Kolkata’s traditions. “Such cultural practices should not be imposed in a new Bangladesh,” he stated.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has criticized the Chief Adviser’s remarks on the upcoming national election, calling them vague and lacking clear directives. “Words must align with actions,” he said, questioning how an election initially planned for December could be pushed to March or June.

Rizvi accused the ruling Awami League of repeatedly undermining democracy since independence, stating, “They have always deceived the people with lies and political gimmicks. Fascist Sheikh Hasina never aligned words with actions—she seized power and looted the nation’s wealth under the guise of development projects.” He urged the government to announce a specific and immediate election date.

A court has declared BNP candidate Ishraq Hossain as the winner of the 2020 Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) election, nullifying the government’s gazette that recognized Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as mayor.

The court cited electoral irregularities and corruption as reasons for annulling the previous results. Ishraq Hossain had filed a case challenging the election outcome on March 3, 2020.

A Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant against Md. Ashrafuzzaman, accused of fraudulently using BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s name.

The case was filed by Advocate Iltutmish Saudagar Annie, who alleged that the suspect has been deceiving people since the 1/11 political crisis, even defrauding an Awami League minister. After the mass uprising, Ashrafuzzaman allegedly continued financial scams by falsely claiming to be Tarique Rahman’s adviser and a coordinator of BNP’s standing committee. BNP took internal action upon discovering his activities.

In Baufal, Patuakhali, two local leaders of the Volunteer League—UP President Rimon Sikder (31) and General Secretary Liton Khandakar (40)—have been accused of robbing a businessman of BDT 8.65 lakh.

On Wednesday night, the victim, Sourav Bashar, filed a complaint with the Baufal police station. According to the complaint, Bashar arrived in Siddique Bazar with his petrol truck when Liton Khandakar demanded petrol on credit. Upon refusal, a group of five to six individuals reportedly told Bashar that he must pay BDT 10 lakh in extortion fees to operate in the area. The dispute escalated, and the group allegedly snatched a black bag containing BDT 8.65 lakh from Bashar. The accused have denied the allegations.

BNP’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, has sent an Eid-ul-Fitr greeting card to the interim government’s Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus. On Thursday morning, BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie delivered the card to the Chief Adviser’s office, where it was received by his secretary, Saifullah Panna.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs is facing difficulties in identifying fake freedom fighters. Over the past three months, more than 20,000 complaints have been filed against individuals holding fraudulent certificates. Allegations have also surfaced against those who secured jobs using fake documents. Additionally, even some genuine freedom fighters have been subjected to scrutiny.

To address this issue, the interim government has restructured the 10-member National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA), as well as the 10-member Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust and its executive committee.

Sources claim that former Minister for Liberation War Affairs, AKM Mozammel Haque, himself is a fake freedom fighter. According to JAMUKA, the number of fake freedom fighters exceeds 100,000. JAMUKA Director General Shahina Khatun stated that preliminary on-site hearings will be conducted to verify claims. Meanwhile, the government is also searching for families of martyrs who have yet to receive their entitled allowances.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has alleged that alongside Sheikh Hasina’s allies, new accomplices have emerged, all driven by the greed for power. He criticized certain groups for linking state structure reforms and the trial of Sheikh Hasina to the upcoming elections. Haque emphasized that the trial of Sheikh Hasina and structural reforms have no connection to the electoral process. He pointed out that while some are calling for reforms only after August 5, BNP had been advocating for them since July 13, 2023. According to him, the people want to vote, and through a fair election, a government chosen by the people will ultimately bring about true reforms and hold Hasina and her allies accountable.

Mass protests erupted across Turkey following the arrest of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu. However, after seven days, the demonstrations ended peacefully. Opposition CHP leader Ozgür Özel announced the conclusion of protests, stating, “We will hold Iftar gatherings in every district of Istanbul and come together on Eid.” He warned that if authorities used force against activists again, “we will return to the streets with 500,000 people.” The movement concluded without bloodshed, solidifying Erdogan’s political dominance, but also highlighting the resilience of Turkey’s opposition.

Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board has ruled that Jamaat-e-Islami is not a terrorist organization, rejecting accusations made by the Canadian government. The ruling comes after a two-year legal battle following a 2022 report by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which had deemed an individual named Rahman inadmissible due to his affiliation with Jamaat-e-Islami. CBSA had claimed Jamaat was linked to terrorism. However, the tribunal dismissed these allegations, citing expert testimonies from international security analysts who defended Jamaat-e-Islami.

NCP Chief Organizer Hasnat Abdullah claimed that ongoing conspiracies against Bangladesh persist. “We will overcome all these challenges,” he vowed. He criticized the treatment of madrasa institutions as secondary and accused the government of consistently sidelining Islamic scholars, leading to their political persecution and imprisonment. However, he noted that people now have freedom of speech. Referring to events after August 5, he claimed Bangladesh had been transformed into a model of communal harmony. Despite internal and external conspiracies, he urged patience among devout Muslims and expressed hope that Debidwar would become known as an NCP stronghold.

NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari declared that the upcoming “ballot revolution” would be won by the youth. “We will enter parliament, no matter what,” he asserted, emphasizing that young people are now focused on parliamentary representation. He warned that any group attempting to obstruct this path would face strong resistance. Patwari further stated that the upcoming election would see the nomination of mosque imams and respected community figures—candidates who previously couldn’t afford to contest elections. He reiterated that the party’s struggle is now focused on banning the ruling Awami League and revoking its registration with the Election Commission.

The Secretary-General of Khelafat Majlis, Ahmad Abdul Kader, has emphasized the need to maintain national unity to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. He stated that to honor the sacrifices of millions who laid down their lives in 1971, the fundamental goals of independence—equality, human dignity, and social justice—must be ensured. He further added that following the mass uprising of 2024, which led to the fall of the fascist Hasina regime, there is now an opportunity to secure people’s rights. The country must swiftly undergo necessary reforms and proceed towards a free and fair national election to build a stable, prosperous, and thriving Bangladesh.

Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Abu Hanif has stressed the importance of preserving the national unity that emerged through the July mass uprising. He acknowledged that cracks have appeared in this unity and warned against any statements or actions that could further damage it. “Defeated forces are actively trying to sabotage the unity of the people,” he stated. Hanif accused the Awami League of committing enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and political oppression over the past 15 years. He claimed that following the July-August movement, the party fled in the face of public outrage and has been politically ostracized by the people. Hanif also alleged that as Eid approaches, the Awami League is plotting subversive activities while the public remains preoccupied with celebrations. He further warned against any attempts to create a divide between the Liberation War and the 2024 mass uprising, stating, “We do not want to pit 1971 against 2024.”

On the occasion of Shab-e-Qadr, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman extended his greetings to the nation and prayed for its well-being. He remarked that devout Muslims spend the holy month of Ramadan engaging in fasting and self-purification, culminating in the blessed night of Shab-e-Qadr, which brings immense divine mercy. “On this sacred night, believers immerse themselves in worship, offering voluntary prayers, reciting the Holy Quran, and making supplications,” he stated. He also prayed for the welfare of the country, the progress and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah, and for divine mercy to be showered upon everyone. “Ameen,” he concluded.