Following the December killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, millions attended his funeral in central Dhaka, reflecting a wave of national grief that has yet to subside. Hadi, a former university student from a modest background, had become a prominent voice after the 2024 uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s long rule. His death, unlike earlier political martyrs, remains unresolved and continues to stir public emotion, now described as the ‘Hadi Effect’.

Hadi’s rise came through social media and televised debates where he challenged remnants of the Awami League’s cultural dominance. He criticized what he saw as elitist secular nationalism and promoted a faith-based cultural identity resonating with Bangladesh’s Muslim majority. Through his ‘Inqilab Cultural Center,’ he sought to build an alternative cultural framework grounded in Islamic values and local expression.

His decision to contest a Dhaka parliamentary seat without party backing turned him into a symbol of grassroots defiance. His assassination has left many feeling deprived of a rare, honest voice, and the emotional momentum surrounding his legacy continues to influence the national political atmosphere.

Yusuf Pezeshkian, son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and a government adviser, has urged an end to the nationwide internet shutdown that has lasted for weeks. In a Telegram post published by the state news agency IRNA on Saturday, he warned that keeping the internet blocked for more than two weeks would increase public dissatisfaction with the government. He argued that the harm caused by the shutdown outweighs the risk of renewed protests once access is restored.

Iran has been facing widespread protests since early January, leading authorities to cut off internet access for nearly 90 million people since January 8. Human rights groups report that many have been killed in security crackdowns, with the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization claiming the death toll may exceed 25,000. The Iranian government, however, reports 3,117 deaths, including 2,427 identified as “martyrs,” and labels others as rioters influenced by the United States and Israel.

Yusuf Pezeshkian criticized the justification for the shutdown, saying that fear of protest videos being shared is not a valid reason. He acknowledged possible mistakes by security forces and called for accountability.

Since the start of the national election campaign three days ago, at least 52 clashes have been reported across Bangladesh, leaving over 300 political activists injured. Mobile courts have fined at least 45 candidates and supporters for violating the electoral code of conduct. Reports indicate frequent use of banned colored posters, loudspeakers beyond permitted hours, and motorcades displaying muscle power. Despite these incidents, the Election Commission (EC) has so far limited its actions to issuing show-cause notices and fines.

Observers note that similar violations occurred before the campaign officially began, with the EC’s leniency allowing candidates to act with impunity. Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar stated that executive magistrates are active in the field and that tougher measures will be taken if necessary. Election expert Munira Khan criticized the EC’s limited enforcement, urging stronger legal action.

Separate incidents include a supporter’s killing in Mymensingh, clashes in Kishoreganj and Brahmanbaria, and vandalism in Sylhet. The EC reports that 1,981 candidates are contesting across 300 constituencies and claims to have intensified field monitoring to ensure compliance.

Greece’s Ministry of Migration has submitted a new bill to parliament aimed at tightening penalties for migrant smuggling. The proposed law includes provisions for life imprisonment for convicted smugglers and allows for the deportation of migrants involved in such crimes. It also criminalizes assistance by legally residing migrants to irregular migrants. Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, formerly linked to a far-right party, is leading the proposal, which is scheduled for parliamentary review next week.

According to the ministry, the bill seeks to strengthen punishment at all levels of illegal migrant trafficking. It also extends penalties to NGO workers accused of smuggling, including potential prison terms. However, 56 NGOs, including the Greek branches of Doctors of the World and Doctors Without Borders, have expressed concern over several clauses, calling for their immediate withdrawal. They argue that the bill grants excessive power to the ministry, enabling it to suspend an organization’s registration even before guilt is proven.

The bill also introduces measures to promote legal migration, such as simplifying recruitment from third countries, launching new visas for high-tech workers, and granting residence permits to students from developing nations. It further proposes vocational training programs to integrate asylum seekers and refugees into labor-short sectors like construction, agriculture, and tourism.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman arrived in Chattogram on Saturday evening, January 24, 2026, marking his first visit to the city in 21 years. He landed at Shah Amanat International Airport at 7:15 p.m., where senior BNP leaders including Salahuddin Ahmed and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury welcomed him. Rahman traveled from his residence in Gulshan to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport earlier that evening before flying to Chattogram.

According to BNP Political Adviser and Election Committee Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, Rahman will attend six campaign rallies across four districts on Sunday as part of the party’s nationwide campaign for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. His first rally will be held at Chattogram’s Polo Ground at 11:30 a.m., followed by events in Feni, Comilla, and Narayanganj later in the day. The Comilla visit marks his first political appearance there in 24 years.

The tour follows the launch of Rahman’s election campaign in Sylhet on January 22, where he held rallies in seven districts before returning to Dhaka.

Tension erupted at Dhaka University following allegations of extortion, counterclaims, vandalism, and arson linked to mobile shop evictions on campus. On Saturday night, January 24, Daksu executive member Sarbamitra Chakma posted several video clips from December 21, accusing multiple students of extortion. The videos showed students striking mobile food carts with hammers and setting one on fire. However, another part of the footage obtained by the newspaper showed proctorial team members initiating the vandalism and handing hammers to students.

Students involved in the incident told the newspaper they had earlier faced eviction attempts by the administration near the IML gate and later called the proctorial team to remove illegal shops around TSC. They denied the extortion allegations, claiming the issue was being revived before elections to create momentum. Chakma said evidence was being organized for public display in front of Daksu.

The university had previously banned mobile shops on campus through a notice signed by Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed. Proctorial team members said internal divisions among students and lobbying by Daksu leaders complicated enforcement of the eviction order.

Independent candidate Alhaj Muhammad Murshed Alam, contesting from Mymensingh-11 (Valuka) constituency with the deer symbol, held a press conference on January 24, 2026, alleging attacks, threats, and obstruction of campaign activities against his supporters. He claimed that since the start of campaigning on January 22, workers of the paddy-sheaf symbol candidate have been continuously attacking his campaigners.

According to his written statement, female workers were harassed in Nayanpur area of Mallikbari Union, and several people were injured in an attack in Randia village of Dhitpur Union, later admitted to the Upazila Health Complex. He also alleged that campaign activities were being disrupted in various areas of Uthura and Rajoi unions, with loudspeakers and auto-rickshaws being stopped to create fear among voters.

Murshed Alam urged the administration to take immediate legal action against those involved and ensure a peaceful election environment, warning that a fair and free election would not be possible under current conditions. Several local BNP leaders were present at the press conference.

A ten-party alliance has stepped up its campaign in the haor region constituencies of Madan, Mohanganj, and Khaliajuri, which together form Netrakona-4. The alliance is determined to secure victory for the scale symbol by defeating BNP heavyweight and former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, who is contesting under the paddy sheaf symbol. On Saturday, January 24, alliance workers, led by Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated candidate Al Helal Talukder, visited door to door across Madan upazila seeking votes.

The alliance, which includes Jamaat-e-Islami, has shown no willingness to compromise in its efforts to win the seat. Workers have been campaigning from morning until night across the villages and haor areas. Meanwhile, Babar’s wife, Tahmina Zaman Shraboni, has also joined the campaign to support her husband’s candidacy.

The contest in Netrakona-4 is shaping up as a key electoral battle ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, with both sides intensifying grassroots outreach in the region.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka hosted a grand reception on Saturday evening to mark India’s 77th Republic Day. The event, held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, was attended by diplomats, political figures, retired military officers, senior government officials, and civil society representatives. Among the guests were Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and Central Executive Committee member Mobarak Hossain.

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma and Mrs. Manu Verma invited the guests and personally welcomed attendees. During the event, the High Commissioner greeted Mia Golam Porwar, who conveyed greetings on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to the people of India, wishing them happiness, prosperity, and well-being.

The participation of Jamaat leaders at the Indian High Commission’s Republic Day celebration reflected diplomatic engagement across political lines within Bangladesh’s capital.

Kafrul West Thana unit of Jamaat-e-Islami organized a procession and public outreach in support of the party’s Amir and Dhaka-25 constituency candidate, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. The event took place on Saturday evening, beginning in front of the Kazi Para Central Jame Mosque on Begum Rokeya Sarani and moving through key roads in Kazi Para and East Sheorapara before concluding near the Sheorapara Metro Rail Station.

The rally was led by Laskar Md. Tasnim, central vice-president of the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation, along with Kafrul West Thana Amir Md. Abdul Matin Khan, Thana Secretary Maulana Md. Atik Hasan Raihan, and several other local leaders. The procession ended with a brief address by Thana Secretary Maulana Md. Atik Hasan Raihan.

The event was part of Jamaat-e-Islami’s campaign activities in Dhaka, highlighting local organizational support for Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s candidacy in the upcoming election.

More than 500 former leaders and activists of the BNP and its student wing joined the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP) in Hatiya, Noakhali, on Saturday evening. The joining ceremony took place at the NCP’s upazila office, where the new members formally joined by placing their hands in those of Abdul Hannan Masud, the ten-party alliance candidate. Among the new entrants were former municipal Chhatra Dal convener Mohibubur Rahman, Jahajmara Union Chhatra Dal president Abdul Hannan, and several other former leaders from different BNP-affiliated bodies.

At a press conference, Abdul Hannan Masud stated that anyone except those involved in terrorism or extortion could join the NCP. He said leaders from various unions were contacting them daily, and the party had already recruited many individually. Masud added that under the leadership of 17 former BNP and affiliated leaders, over 500 activists had joined the NCP, expressing his goal of building a terrorism- and extortion-free Hatiya.

The event marked the beginning of what Masud described as a continuing wave of new memberships from different political backgrounds in the region.

Advocate Wadud, the Naib-e-Ameer of Bagerhat district Jamaat and candidate for the Bagerhat-3 (Mongla-Rampal) constituency, has warned that a group is attempting to deceive the public by showing family cards. Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally in Mithakhali Union of Mongla upazila on Saturday, January 24, 2026, he urged people to remain alert and united against extortion and corruption.

During his address, Wadud emphasized the need for collective resistance against illegal activities ahead of the upcoming national election. He stated that good initiatives would be supported while wrongdoing would be opposed, and that the public should stand together to resist injustice. He described educational institutions as the “second parliament” of Bangladesh, encouraging voters to elect honest and qualified leaders.

Wadud expressed optimism that the youth would play a decisive role in forming an honest and capable government through united voting. The rally was attended by numerous local Jamaat leaders, including Mongla upazila Jamaat’s Naib-e-Ameer and former vice chairman Md. Kohinur Sardar.

A clash broke out between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Baraigram upazila of Natore on Saturday over setting up two separate election offices at the same spot in Ahmadpur Bazar. The incident left Kamal Hossain, a former ward member and coordinator of the Joari Union election committee, and Sajedur Rahman, member secretary of the upazila labour wing, injured.

According to local sources, BNP activists supporting Abdul Aziz, the party’s candidate for Natore-4 constituency, had opened two separate offices in Ahmadpur Bazar. On Saturday, leaders and activists gathered there under the leadership of upazila election committee convener Principal Ashraf Ali and member secretary Shamsul Alam Roni to begin campaign leaflet distribution. Disagreement arose when the committee leaders asked everyone to unite, leading to an argument that escalated into a physical altercation.

Baraigram Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdus Salam said he had heard about the incident but no written complaint had been filed. He added that local leaders were expected to resolve the matter internally.

Maulana Yasin Arafat, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Comilla-10 constituency and former central president of Islami Chhatra Shibir, pledged to eliminate corruption, extortion, and drug trading if elected. Speaking on Saturday afternoon at a campaign rally near the main gate of Nangalkot Government College, he said his party would end the politics of revenge, grouping, and killings in Nangalkot and ensure that no one is persecuted for political or ideological reasons.

Arafat emphasized that the future direction of Bangladesh and the next generation’s path depend on bringing the ten-party alliance to power. He urged voters to support the alliance’s symbol, the balance scale, to establish justice and welfare in the country. The rally was presided over by Maulana Jamal Uddin, Jamaat’s Nangalkot upazila amir, and attended by several local leaders and guests including banker Dr. Delwar Hossain and Maulana Golam Kabir Bhuiyan.

The event reflected Jamaat’s campaign focus on unity, justice, and moral governance ahead of the upcoming election in Comilla-10.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Feni on Sunday to address a district BNP rally at Feni Pilot School field. During the event, he will meet families of eight people killed and several injured in the August 4, 2024, anti-discrimination student movement, which turned violent following attacks and shootings allegedly by Awami League activists. The BNP has formed a special team to ensure the safe transport, seating, and hospitality of the victims’ families and July movement participants.

Family members of the deceased have expressed their intention to demand justice from Tarique Rahman. Mahfuza Akter, mother of martyr Wakil Ahmed Shihab, said she would urge swift trials and ensure no accused are dropped from charge sheets. Nesar Ahmed, father of martyr Ishtiaq Ahmed Shraban, plans to ask what role the BNP would play in ensuring maximum punishment if it comes to power. Other families, including that of martyr Zakir Hossain, echoed similar demands for justice.

Lawyer Mejbah Uddin Bhuiyan, representing plaintiffs in 22 related cases, said all plaintiffs seek fair trials and have resisted attempts to exclude accused individuals from the cases.