Former coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement and Habiganj district secretary Mahdi Hasan was questioned by Indian officials in New Delhi after being identified at a visa processing center. He had traveled to India to apply for a Portuguese visa and was recognized by someone who recorded a video that later spread on social media. Following this, Indian intelligence officials began monitoring him. According to two sources cited by BBC Bangla, Hasan was not physically harmed but was told that anyone making anti-India remarks or claiming to have killed a Hindu police officer would not be allowed to stay in India.

The sources said Hasan’s Indian visa was canceled the same night, and he was advised to leave the country. He departed for Dhaka on an IndiGo flight on Wednesday afternoon. Hasan later told journalists at Dhaka airport that he had been harassed and felt unsafe in India. He denied rumors about cryptocurrency possession and confirmed that he was also questioned upon returning to Bangladesh.

BBC Bangla reported that attempts to reach Hasan for further comment after his return were unsuccessful.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with longtime employees of the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday morning at Tejgaon. According to his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, the Prime Minister personally called several staff members by name who had served during former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s tenure 19 years ago. He spoke with them, inquired about their families, and shook hands with one employee who approached him after being recognized from afar.

Before entering the office, the Prime Minister planted trees in the garden. Upon his arrival, officials and employees lined up to greet him. Witnesses described the moment as emotional, noting that the Prime Minister remembered staff who had aged since their earlier service but still recognized them by name. Many were reportedly moved by his gesture and demeanor.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister entered the Red Block, his official chamber, and took his seat to inaugurate a commemorative postage stamp marking the observance of Shaheed Dibosh and International Mother Language Day.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, announced that strict legal action will be taken against extortionists, regardless of their political affiliation. He made the statement on Saturday during a meeting in his constituency, Sirajganj, emphasizing that the government will not tolerate extortion or drug trafficking. The meeting was held at the Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner’s conference room with officials from the district administration, police, and various energy sector agencies including Palli Bidyut, PDB, Petrobangla, NESCO, Nowapjeco, and PGCB.

The minister urged officials to perform their duties with honesty, efficiency, and dedication, noting that citizens expect tangible results rather than promises. He stated that the government has launched a 180-day program aimed at bringing visible changes for the people. Mahmud added that the administration seeks to move beyond traditional practices and build a truly development-oriented society, calling on all stakeholders to contribute actively.

The remarks reflect the government’s commitment to accountability and its focus on curbing corruption and criminal activities within all political circles.

Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Food Minister Amin-ur-Rashid Yasin announced that he will not accept any government salary or allowances during his tenure. Speaking at a press briefing at Comilla Circuit House on Saturday, February 21, 2026, he stated that since becoming minister, he has been using his own car and personally purchased fuel, avoiding the use of government vehicles and related expenses.

Yasin highlighted his role in establishing Comilla’s first export-oriented factory and credited local encouragement for sparking an industrial transformation in the region. He also emphasized Comilla’s pioneering role in modern agriculture, referencing Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan’s irrigation projects and the internationally recognized “Comilla Model.” Yasin described himself as a farmer and pledged to prioritize agricultural development across the country.

The minister further announced plans to build cold storage facilities to help Comilla’s farmers preserve their crops and expressed his commitment to maintaining the city’s historic reputation as the “city of tanks and banks.”

Members of the banned student organization Chhatra League entered the central Shaheed Minar of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) on Saturday afternoon, carrying floral wreaths and chanting slogans. Among them were two women wearing burqas. The group placed flowers at the monument while singing a song associated with February 21. Police later arrived at the scene but did not detain anyone.

A video posted by a Chhatra League leader named Khalid Hossain Antor showed 15–20 activists walking toward the CVASU Shaheed Minar with a wreath labeled “Pushpastabok Concert from Metropolitan Chhatra League.” In a separate incident, some Chhatra League members attempted to pay tribute at the central Shaheed Minar near the city’s public library, but police reportedly prevented them because their wreaths lacked name tags.

Khulshi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Islam said he inspected the CVASU site but found no flowers from the group, suggesting they might have left earlier. He confirmed that an investigation is underway.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Member of Parliament ATM Azharul Islam stated that the government’s disregard for the July Charter will be discussed in parliament once the session begins. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists at Saidpur Airport after receiving a floral reception from party activists. Azharul Islam said that during the referendum following the July movement, the public had supported the charter with a ‘yes’ vote, and several political parties had pledged to implement it. He warned that if any party in power denies that commitment, necessary measures will be taken through parliamentary discussion.

He argued that without the July movement, many people would not have enjoyed freedom of expression in the current political context. Rejecting the July Charter, he said, would mean rejecting the election itself. Azharul Islam also expressed gratitude to his supporters in Badarganj and Taraganj and pledged to work for local development without discrimination. He emphasized that government officials must remain neutral and serve all citizens equally, while the administration should act firmly against drugs.

He further stated that he represents both voters and non-voters alike and vowed not to exert any undue pressure on the administration.

Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim, a central executive council member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said that rejecting the referendum would raise questions about the current government's legitimacy. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a Ramadan food pack distribution event held at Char Monsa Government Primary School field in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila, where he was the chief guest.

Rezaul Karim claimed that the July movement led to Tarique Rahman becoming prime minister and Dr. Shafiqur Rahman becoming the opposition leader, with many others returning to the country. He stated that 70 percent of voters supported the referendum, yet the government has not taken an oath to amend the constitution or formed the upper house as promised. He urged the government to implement the people's verdict from the July charter referendum without delay.

He warned that if the referendum outcome is ignored, the 70 percent of people who participated in the July movement might take to the streets, though he expressed hope in the government’s assurances.

The 13th National Parliament of Bangladesh is scheduled to convene its first session on March 12 or a few days earlier, according to Salah Uddin Ahmed, Home Minister and member of the BNP Standing Committee. He made the announcement on Saturday night, confirming that the session will include the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Salah Uddin Ahmed stated that ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government will be presented in this session, along with condolence motions. The 13th Parliament has already seen the election of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman as the Leader of the House and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman as the Leader of the Opposition.

The upcoming session marks the formal beginning of the 13th Parliament’s activities, setting the stage for legislative and administrative proceedings under the new political alignment.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit has called on government officials in Jessore to perform their duties without political bias or fear. Speaking at a meeting with district department heads on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Jessore Deputy Commissioner’s Office, he emphasized that no official should seek special favors through political identity and urged them to focus on solving public problems through direct engagement with citizens.

During the meeting, the minister reminded officials that the current government was elected by popular vote and must remain accountable to the people. He also advised humane consideration while removing illegal structures, particularly during Ramadan, suggesting alternative solutions for affected street vendors. Amit further stressed the importance of freeing local rivers from illegal occupation, expressing concern over encroachment on the Mukteshwari River.

He assured officials that no political leader would interfere with their work and urged them to report any obstacles directly to him. The minister also instructed police to maintain law and order and reiterated his commitment to building a crime- and drug-free Jessore. In a separate session, he directed municipal authorities to identify and resolve drainage and waterlogging issues promptly.

Three leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Fulchhari upazila of Gaibandha district have been expelled for violating party discipline and taking a stance against the organization. The decision was announced on Saturday through a press release signed by the upazila BNP’s general secretary and organizing secretary.

The expelled leaders are Abdur Rashid Sarkar Madhu, vice-president of Udakhali Union BNP; Anarul Islam, joint general secretary; and Saiful Islam Safiullah, organizing secretary of Erendabari Union BNP. Fulchhari upazila BNP general secretary Abdus Salam Sarkar confirmed the expulsion, stating that the three were removed from all party positions, including their primary memberships, due to organizational misconduct.

The announcement underscores the BNP’s internal enforcement of discipline at the local level, as the party leadership moves to address activities deemed harmful to organizational unity.

Dhaka-14 constituency’s elected Member of Parliament Barrister Arman declared that he and his supporters are ready to sacrifice their lives but will not accept 'July', during a visit to his father’s grave in Harirampur, Manikganj, on Saturday, February 21, 2026. He also demanded that justice for Shaheed Osman Hadi and Shaheed Abu Sayeed must be delivered on Bangladeshi soil.

Arman, son of Jamaat leader Mir Quasem Ali, said he was abducted by what he called fascist forces shortly before his father’s execution and was unaware of his father’s fate. He described his survival as a second life granted by divine mercy and pledged to dedicate himself to ensuring that no one in Bangladesh faces such oppression again. He sought prayers to fulfill his parliamentary duty of representing people’s rights and to uphold his father’s Islamic ideals.

Several Jamaat and student leaders, including former central Chhatra Shibir president Zahidur Rahman and local Jamaat leaders from Manikganj, were present during the visit.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a meeting on February 21, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, focusing on making the education system more enjoyable and employment-oriented, expanding job opportunities, and improving sports infrastructure and training facilities. The meeting was attended by relevant ministers, state ministers, and senior officials.

According to Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh, this was the first time Prime Minister Tarique Rahman worked from the Tejgaon office since assuming office. It marked his third working day as head of government. After taking the oath as prime minister, he had worked at the Secretariat on the previous Wednesday and Thursday.

The meeting reflected the new administration’s early focus on aligning education with employment and strengthening youth and sports development initiatives.

At a discussion meeting in Dhaka on Saturday marking International Mother Language and Martyrs’ Day, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Member of Parliament Professor Mujibur Rahman said that a government had been formed against the people’s verdict by not taking the oath of the Constitutional Reform Council. He urged both the government and opposition to work together to implement the people’s mandate peacefully, warning that failure to do so could lead to public uprising.

Rahman stated that no government in the country’s history had remained in power by defying public opinion and that Jamaat-e-Islami was prepared for a final struggle to establish people’s rights while also ready to cooperate with the government as an opposition party. He called for ensuring the use of the Bangla language in all sectors and for rewriting what he described as distorted historical narratives to present the truth to the younger generation.

Other speakers, including Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad, emphasized the need to implement the July Charter to strengthen democracy and warned against authoritarian tendencies.

State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj has declared that no form of corruption will be tolerated in his ministry over the next five years. He made the statement on Saturday while addressing a discussion organized by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education in observance of Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day.

During his speech, Hajjaj emphasized the significance of February 21 as a symbol of the Bengali nation’s struggle for fundamental rights, noting that language represents the most personal and basic human right. He reflected on the historical sacrifices made for rights and stated that democratic governance has now been restored through a popularly elected government.

The state minister further stressed that education forms the foundation of the state, warning that a weak foundation cannot support a strong structure. He called for strengthening educational infrastructure and focusing on three key areas to improve education quality.

The government of Gujarat, a western Indian state, has announced plans to amend its marriage registration law to prevent alleged fraudulent marriages involving concealed identities, often referred to as 'love jihad'. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi made the announcement in the state assembly on Friday, stating that the initiative aims to protect women from deception. Under the proposed changes, both bride and groom must submit proof of parental consent and provide detailed information about their parents, including names, phone numbers, and addresses.

The draft amendment requires assistant registrars to notify the parents of both parties within ten days of receiving a marriage registration application. The application will then be forwarded to the relevant district registrar’s office, where verification will be completed within one month. Sanghavi said details of the new law will be published on an official government website currently under development. He emphasized that the goal is to safeguard traditional marriage practices and ensure women’s safety.

The amendment is being introduced under the Gujarat Marriage Registration Act of 2006. Sanghavi also mentioned reports of fake marriage certificates and marriages conducted under false identities, even in villages without Muslim populations. Public feedback was collected over a 30-day period before drafting the proposal.