A defamation case has been filed in Khulna against Islamic preacher Mufti Amir Hamza for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The case was lodged on Monday at the Khulna Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court by Md. Zahirul Islam Bappi, president of the Khulna city unit of Koko Smriti Sangsad. The presiding judge, Md. Asaduzz Zaman, accepted the case and scheduled the next hearing for May 24. Advocate Babul Hawlader, representing the plaintiff, confirmed the filing.

According to the case statement, the alleged defamatory comments were made during a religious sermon by Mufti Amir Hamza, which was later circulated through a Facebook account. The complaint claims that the remarks caused defamation and harm to Koko’s family, members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and others associated with him.

The court’s decision to accept the case sets the stage for further legal proceedings, with the next hearing expected to determine subsequent actions.

At least ten people were injured in a clash between two factions of the BNP in Bishnudia village of Shailkupa upazila, Jhenaidah, on Monday morning. The confrontation reportedly stemmed from a dispute over local dominance. The injured were treated at Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex, with one person reported to be in critical condition.

Police and locals said the conflict involved supporters of Zahid Chowdhury, joint general secretary of the district Jubo Dal, and Abul Bashar Sadat, member secretary of the upazila Jubo Dal. The dispute had been ongoing over social influence in the area. Two days earlier, an argument had erupted between the groups over the boundary of mosque land in the same village.

According to Shailkupa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir Molla, police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Five of the injured were later referred to hospitals in Faridpur, Kushtia, and Jhenaidah for advanced treatment. Additional police have been deployed to prevent further unrest.

Abu Sadiq Kayem, vice president of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), has alleged that the suspension of the Shahbagh University Central Students’ Union (SHAKSU) election reflects what he called a re-enactment of the Awami League’s fascist tendencies. In a Facebook post on Monday afternoon, he claimed that the election was halted through political influence exerted over the Election Commission and the courts.

Kayem further stated that by obstructing the democratic process on campus, a political party has revealed its future authoritarian character. He emphasized that the SHAKSU election must be held on time to ensure a politically neutral judiciary and a democratic campus environment. According to him, any deviation from this schedule would be unacceptable to the student community.

The post underscores growing student concerns about political interference in university elections and calls for restoring democratic practices within academic institutions.

Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus described the July uprising as an extraordinary achievement in the nation's history. He made the remark on Monday, January 19, during an evening address focused on the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the national referendum.

The statement came as part of his official speech concerning the electoral process and the referendum, reflecting the interim administration’s view of the July uprising as a defining moment for the country. The address was delivered under the authority of the interim government, which is overseeing the transition toward the next parliamentary election.

Further details of the speech and its implications for the election and referendum process were not immediately available, as the report indicated that more information would follow.

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) declared vice president candidate Mominur Rashid Shuvo unwanted on campus after the High Court suspended the university’s central student union (ShakSU) election for four weeks. The announcement came on Monday following the court order, and students also blocked the Sylhet–Sunamganj highway in protest.

According to the students, the ShakSU election had been a long-standing demand, but the independent VP candidate filed a petition in the High Court allegedly under the influence of a political group, depriving students of their rights. The High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Asif Hasan issued the suspension order earlier that day.

The university administration has since appealed to the Appellate Division’s chamber court, seeking to stay the High Court’s order. Advocate Md. Saddam Hossain confirmed that a hearing on the appeal will be held in due course.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all licensed firearm holders to deposit their weapons at the nearest police station by January 31. The directive, signed by Deputy Secretary Abeda Afsari from the Political-4 branch, was issued on Sunday and announced to the media on Monday. The order aims to ensure that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election is conducted freely, fairly, and peacefully.

According to the notification, carrying and displaying licensed firearms will be completely prohibited until February 15, following the declared election schedule. However, the restriction will not apply to candidates for the National Parliament and their armed retainers who are covered under the “Firearms License and Retainer Appointment Policy, 2025,” provided their nominations have been duly submitted and accepted by the Election Commission.

The circular further states that any violation of this directive will result in legal action under the relevant provisions of The Arms Act, 1878.

Students from seven government colleges in Dhaka have begun constructing an 'Ordinance Stage' to press for the Dhaka Central University ordinance. The work started around noon on Monday, January 19, in front of Dhaka College. Wooden and bamboo structures are being set up on the sidewalk near the main gate. Additional mobile stages are being prepared near Bangla College, Kabi Nazrul and Suhrawardy colleges, and Titumir College. According to movement spokesperson Abdur Rahman, four stages, including one mobile truck stage, will host discussions and cultural programs across the campuses.

The Ministry of Education announced on Sunday, January 18, that the final draft of the Dhaka Central University ordinance has been completed and sent to the Cabinet Division for approval. The ministry urged all concerned to refrain from activities that could disrupt public life, warning that emotional or unstable actions might undermine the progress achieved so far.

Depending on the government’s update expected Wednesday, students plan either a 'March for Jamuna' if the update is negative, or a joint rally from Science Lab if it is positive.

Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to formally announce the dissolution of parliament on Monday, paving the way for an early election aimed at accelerating her ambitious policy agenda. According to AFP, Takaichi is relying on her current popularity in opinion polls to secure victory for her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Media reports suggest the election could be held by February 8. The LDP has long dominated Japanese politics but faces declining party support and only a slim majority in the powerful lower house, which has hindered the passage of key fiscal and defense initiatives.

Tokyo University professor Sadafumi Kawato said that if the LDP wins a clear majority, Takaichi could implement her policies without concessions to other parties. Her cabinet has approved a record 122.3 trillion yen budget for the next fiscal year to tackle inflation and boost the economy. Opposition parties, however, warned that dissolving parliament could delay budget approval, with CDP leader Jun Azumi criticizing the move as harmful to citizens’ livelihoods.

Analysts believe the early election could also strengthen Takaichi’s hand in dealing with China, as domestic support may enhance her international bargaining power. However, experts cautioned that Beijing might respond through trade restrictions or other measures if Japan’s stance hardens further.

A total of 5,600 postal ballots sent to expatriate voters in Malaysia and Italy have been returned to the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) because of incorrect or fake registered addresses. Of these, 1,600 ballots came from Italy and 4,000 from Malaysia. Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Sanaullah disclosed the information on Monday, January 19, during a training session for presiding officers assigned to oversee postal ballot counting. The returned ballots have cost the state approximately 3.92 million taka.

Sanaullah explained that the ballots could not be delivered as the expatriates’ correct addresses were unavailable. He emphasized that postal ballots are secure and cannot be manipulated, citing the use of face detection technology to prevent one person from voting on behalf of another. He also dismissed misleading information circulating on social media about postal ballot fraud.

According to the commissioner, each expatriate postal ballot costs the state 700 taka, and 39 ballot marks were found folded within the papers.

Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid a courtesy call on BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Monday afternoon at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. According to party sources, the meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations, Bangladesh’s political situation, and democratic progress. BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir was also present during the meeting.

The discussion between the Canadian envoy and the BNP leader took place amid ongoing political developments in Bangladesh. Party sources described the meeting as part of regular diplomatic engagement, emphasizing dialogue on issues relevant to both sides.

No further details were disclosed about the specific outcomes or future engagements following the meeting.

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) locked the university’s administrative building on Monday, January 19, 2026, demanding that the Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (ShakSU) election be held on time. The protest began around 12:30 p.m., with students chanting slogans calling for the election to proceed as scheduled and asserting their right to student representation.

Earlier, members of the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum held a press conference announcing that they would not cooperate with the election process. They also urged election commission members with specific ideological affiliations to resign. Following this announcement, eight election commissioners reportedly submitted their resignations.

The student demonstration and the commissioners’ resignations have created uncertainty over whether the ShakSU election will proceed as planned, with tensions rising between student groups and sections of the university’s faculty.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, continued its protest for a second consecutive day by besieging the Election Commission (EC) office on Monday from 11 a.m. The demonstration centered on three issues, including disputes over postal ballots, alleged hasty decisions by the EC, and claims of interference by a particular political party in university elections. Law enforcement authorities placed barricades in front of the EC’s main gate as Chhatra Dal activists chanted slogans.

The previous day, Chhatra Dal had also surrounded the EC and later held a meeting with election commissioners. The five-member delegation included the organization’s president Rakibul Islam Rakib, general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, senior vice president Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahia, senior joint general secretary Shyamal Malum, and organizational secretary Amanullah Aman. The EC reportedly assured the delegation that their concerns would be considered rationally.

Following the assurance from the commission, Chhatra Dal announced the conclusion of its sit-in program on Monday afternoon.

A group of BNP-leaning teachers at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) announced on Monday, January 19, 2026, that they will not perform duties in the upcoming ShakSU election. The declaration was made at a press conference held at the university’s Social Science Building auditorium by the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum, led by Professor Dr. Ashraf Uddin. The teachers said they were being accused of conspiracy and decided to abstain to avoid further allegations. They also urged other teachers to refrain from participating in election duties.

Professor Ashraf Uddin stated that the nationalist teachers had worked to ensure a fair and participatory election but were now being unfairly tagged as conspirators. He criticized the vice-chancellor for unilaterally announcing the election date and forming a 15-member election commission without consulting the university syndicate or broader academic community. The teachers also mentioned a letter from the Ministry of Education requesting election postponement, which they said was not shared with them.

The forum expressed concern over growing divisions among students and teachers, calling for maintaining campus harmony and coexistence.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has warned that any attempt to obstruct the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) student parliament election will face continuous protest programs. The organization’s central president, Nurul Islam Saddam, made the announcement on Monday at a press conference held at the group’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. He alleged that certain groups were trying to use political influence and the court to derail the election process.

Saddam claimed that previous efforts to halt student council elections had failed and accused opponents of now resorting to legal petitions to stop the vote. He criticized members of the BNP for allegedly opposing the election despite the party’s past stance in favor of democracy. He also stated that if the government remains inflexible on the issue, it will face severe consequences.

Responding to questions, Saddam said Shibir respects court rulings but will still announce protest programs if the election is obstructed. He added that the organization will campaign in favor of a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum and work with students across rural areas.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has released a second election roadmap on January 19, 2026, ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election. This marks the first time in the EC’s history that a new roadmap has been issued after the official schedule announcement. The earlier roadmap could not be fully implemented, particularly regarding political party registration and constituency delimitation. According to the new plan, the gazette for 300 constituencies’ polling centers will be published on January 22, followed by a special meeting with law enforcement agencies on January 28. On February 1, funds will be allocated for security forces, and election officials will be appointed as observers, while ballot materials will be distributed between February 2 and 3.

The EC has also instructed that no law enforcement camps be set up inside polling centers. The roadmap follows the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled the Awami League government, leading to an interim administration headed by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The interim government pledged to hold elections within a year, with the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, 2026.

Meanwhile, the student wing of a political party continued its second day of protest outside the EC building, alleging bias in the commission’s activities.