On Friday, a large group of armed Hindutva activists demonstrated outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata’s Beckbagan area, protesting the death of Bangladeshi minority member Dipu Das. The rally, which coincided with Friday prayers, featured saffron-clad monks carrying swords and tridents, chanting religious slogans, and displaying images of Dipu Das. Despite the charged atmosphere, no untoward incidents occurred due to heavy police security and barricades around the mission.

Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari led a delegation of five, including four representatives of the Hindu Sanhati Sangh, to submit a memorandum to the Deputy High Commission demanding justice for Dipu Das. Adhikari later addressed a gathering, declaring solidarity among Indian Hindus to protect Bangladesh’s Hindu population. Protesters from several Indian states joined the rally, calling for boycotts of trade with Bangladesh and expressing anger over alleged attacks on Hindus across the border.

The report linked the Kolkata protest to broader communal tensions, noting recent killings of minority individuals in both India and Bangladesh, and suggested that political forces were exploiting such incidents for gain.

Rashed Khan has resigned from his position as general secretary of Gana Odhikar Parishad to join the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and contest the upcoming election under the BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol. The announcement was made on Friday night through an audio message from Gana Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur. Party media coordinator Abu Hanif confirmed that while Rashed Khan will run under the BNP symbol, Nurul Haque Nur will contest using the Gana Odhikar Parishad’s truck symbol.

Nurul Haque Nur explained that during the joint movement against what he described as fascism, BNP led coordination among around 42 political parties and alliances, including Gana Odhikar Parishad. He said that following the movement, discussions were held to rebuild the state and form a national government together. Under current election laws, coalition partners must contest under their own symbols, but some allies are choosing to run under the BNP symbol as a strategic move to increase their chances of winning.

Nur added that Rashed Khan’s decision to contest under the BNP symbol was part of this coordinated strategy, and the party will soon appoint an acting general secretary.

Protesters under the banner of Inquilab Moncho announced an overnight sit-in at Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on Friday, December 26, 2025, demanding justice for slain activist Sharif Osman Hadi. The group declared that they would not leave the area until the government ensures justice for Hadi, who was shot dead on December 12 in Purana Paltan. The sit-in, part of an indefinite blockade program, began after a protest march from Dhaka University Central Mosque following Friday prayers and brought traffic in the Shahbagh area to a halt.

Inquilab Moncho leaders reiterated their three-point demand: formation of a speedy trial tribunal to complete Hadi’s murder trial within 30 working days, inclusion of an internationally recognized investigative agency such as the FBI or Scotland Yard, and arrest of alleged Awami-linked perpetrators within civil and military intelligence. Leaders including Abdullah Al Jaber and Fatima Tasnim Juma accused the government of failing to ensure citizens’ safety and called for public accountability.

Participants said the blockade would continue until the killers are brought to justice, urging government representatives to come to Shahbagh and answer directly to the people.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman addressed the central members’ conference of Islami Chhatra Shibir at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. At the event, Nurul Islam Saddam was elected as the new president and Sibgatullah Sibga as the secretary general for the 2026 term. Rahman stated that any political party could form an electoral alliance with Jamaat if it met three conditions: refraining from corruption, ensuring equal justice for all, and committing to implement reform recommendations.

Rahman emphasized Jamaat’s goal of establishing an education system that eliminates unemployment, saying the party wants every young person to become a builder of the nation rather than depend on unemployment benefits. He criticized past decades for diverting students from education, claiming that campuses had turned into militarized zones and that students’ safety and careers were uncertain.

The event was attended by leaders from Jamaat and other allied organizations, including Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Kader and several parliamentary candidates.

Freedom fighter Md. Rafiqul Islam from Bhairab, Kishoreganj, has formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The joining ceremony took place on Friday afternoon at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, where he presented flowers to Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and completed the associate membership form. The former BNP leader was welcomed by several senior Jamaat figures, including former MP and freedom fighter Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan, Kishoreganj district Ameer Professor Ramzan Ali, and local Jamaat leaders.

Rafiqul Islam had been politically active since the founding of the BNP and previously served as president of Bhairab Municipal BNP. He is also known as the founder of Bhairab Rafiqul Islam Women’s College and several other educational and religious institutions, including Halima Sadia Women’s Madrasa and Fatema Ramzan Government Primary School. In the 1960s, he was elected Drama and Recreation Secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU).

Earlier, on December 13, freedom fighter Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan also joined Jamaat-e-Islami, drawing public attention.

Several Facebook pages and social media accounts linked to posts about Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi have reportedly disappeared, with allegations pointing to Indian involvement. The report claims that after Hadi’s killing by members of the banned organization Chhatra League, his supporters and activists who posted about him faced content removals. Among those affected was former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, whose official page with three million followers was taken down.

Former army officer Mustafizur Rahman alleged that a group of Indian-origin employees at Meta played a role in removing a video of Hadi’s poem from the chief adviser’s official Facebook page. He claimed the group had previously coordinated with Bangladeshi officials to suppress opposition voices and was now misusing Meta’s internal reporting system to label Hadi as a criminal. Activist Pinaki Bhattacharya also alleged that a coordinated network was disabling social media accounts through fake copyright reports.

The article portrays Hadi as a symbol of anti-hegemony resistance whose death has sparked international attention and protests, particularly among Sikh leaders abroad.

The Bangladesh Election Commission has published a gazette redefining the boundaries of four parliamentary constituencies—Pabna-1, Pabna-2, Faridpur-2, and Faridpur-4. The gazette, signed by Md. Mamunur Rashid, Deputy Director of the Department of Films and Publications attached to the Commission, was released on Wednesday. The decision follows a writ petition filed with the High Court Division of the Supreme Court.

According to the gazette, Pabna-1 (constituency 68) will now include Santhia Upazila and several unions and the municipality of Bera Upazila. Pabna-2 (constituency 69) will cover Sujanagar Upazila and the remaining parts of Bera Upazila, excluding the areas included in Pabna-1. Faridpur-2 (constituency 212) will consist of Nagarkanda and Saltha upazilas, while Faridpur-4 (constituency 214) will include Bhanga, Charbhadrasan, and Sadarpur upazilas.

The redefinition aims to align constituency boundaries with administrative and legal considerations as directed by the High Court petition.

Fatima Tasnim Juma, spokesperson for the Dhaka University branch of Inquilab Manch, expressed strong anger at the interim government’s stance on the murder of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. On Friday, December 26, after the Juma prayers, Inquilab Manch leaders, students, and supporters marched from the university’s central mosque to Shahbagh, where they blocked the road and halted traffic. The protest site filled with slogans demanding justice for Hadi’s killing.

In her speech, Juma recalled Hadi’s legacy as a humble activist who never claimed leadership but inspired others through his dedication. She criticized the authorities for failing to provide clear information about the suspects’ whereabouts and accused intelligence agencies of negligence. Juma also warned against attempts to label their movement as mob activity, calling such claims a tactic to delay justice and elections.

Juma declared that the protesters would not leave the streets until Hadi’s killers are brought to justice, vowing that the trial must take place in Bangladesh and that Shahbagh would witness its outcome.

After Friday prayers, leaders and activists of Inquilab Mancha, along with students and the public, marched from Dhaka University Central Mosque to Shahbagh intersection and began a sit-in. The demonstration was organized to demand justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, who was shot on December 12 and later died in a Singapore hospital on December 18.

Inquilab Mancha member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber announced that the protesters would not leave Shahbagh until the interim government’s advisers publicly respond regarding Hadi’s case. He stated that they were prepared to stay overnight and even risk their lives to continue the protest. A reliable source indicated that the sit-in would continue until Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury arrives at the site.

The protesters accused government advisers of avoiding accountability and vowed to maintain their position at Shahbagh until their demands are addressed.

A record crowd gathered in Dhaka’s 300 Feet area to welcome BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, defying the season’s coldest spell. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam described the turnout as clear evidence of the nation’s readiness for the upcoming general election and referendum. In a verified Facebook post on December 26, he confirmed that both events would proceed on schedule, just seven weeks away.

Alam stated that the recent developments had dispelled any remaining doubts about the February 12 election date. He added that nomination submissions for parliamentary seats would begin within days, followed by campaign activities across the country. Printing presses and television debates were expected to intensify as the election approached.

Political analysts cited in the report said the massive turnout and the government’s high-level remarks reflected growing political engagement and tension ahead of the polls. Alam concluded that only a truly credible election could heal the deepening national divisions.

BNP’s acting chairman Tareq Rahman was on his way to the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar after visiting the grave of late president Ziaur Rahman on Friday, December 26, 2025. His vehicle was on the Gabtoli road when it became clear he would not reach the memorial before sunset.

As a result, senior BNP leaders paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War on his behalf. According to the party’s media cell, at 5:06 p.m., standing committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, along with advisory council members Amanullah Aman and Lutfozzaman Babar, placed wreaths at the memorial. They were joined by Dhaka district BNP president Khondoker Abu Ashfaq, advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Dr. Dewan Mohammad Salauddin, Tamizuddin, Yasin Ferdous Murad, Ayub Khan, retired Major General Fazle Elahi Akbar, and media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan.

The BNP media cell stated that the tribute was made in accordance with the rule requiring visits to the memorial before sunset.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman was on his way to the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar after visiting the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman on Friday, December 26, 2025. As he could not reach the memorial before sunset, senior BNP leaders paid tribute on his behalf under the leadership of Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan. The tribute took place at 5:06 p.m.

According to BNP’s media cell, the delegation included Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Advisory Council members Amanullah Aman and Lutfozzaman Babar, along with Dhaka District BNP President Khandaker Abu Ashfaq and several other party leaders. They placed floral wreaths at the memorial to honor the martyrs of the Liberation War.

The event highlighted BNP’s continued observance of national commemorations, even when its acting chairman could not be physically present at the memorial due to time constraints before sunset.

The Urban Development Journalists Forum Bangladesh (UDJFB) has formed a new executive committee for the 2026–27 term. Matin Abdullah, special correspondent of the daily Jugantor, was elected president, and Hasan Imon, staff reporter of Bangladesh Pratidin, was elected general secretary. The election took place on Friday at a restaurant in Banglamotor, Dhaka, during the forum’s biennial general meeting. Chief Election Commissioner Amitosh Pal announced the results, assisted by commissioners Khalid Saifullah of Naya Diganta and Mizanur Rahman of The Daily Observer.

Other elected members include Faisal Khan as vice president, Yasin Rana as joint general secretary, Rashedul Hasan as finance secretary, Zahidul Islam as organizational secretary, Md. Billal Hossain (Sagar) as publicity and publication secretary, Latiful Islam as office secretary, Rahat Hossain as training and research secretary, and Delaowar Hossain Dolon as hospitality and welfare secretary. Executive members are Mahmuda Dolly, Moinul Islam (Rajib), Niaz Morshed, and Abdul Kaiyum.

The meeting was presided over by newly elected president Matin Abdullah and conducted by Faisal Khan, with all forum members and leaders in attendance.

Inqilab Mancha, founded by the late Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, has called on the people of Bangladesh to gather at Shahbagh in Dhaka to demand justice for Hadi’s killing. The call was made through the group’s official Facebook page following a protest march organized by its Dhaka University branch after Friday prayers. The procession started from the university’s central mosque and ended with a sit-in at Shahbagh.

According to Inqilab Mancha, the movement will continue until a swift and exemplary trial is ensured for the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi, who was the spokesperson of the organization and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 in Purana Paltan, a day after the announcement of the 13th national election and referendum schedule. He was later flown to Singapore for advanced treatment but died on December 18.

Investigators reportedly identified a banned Chhatra League leader as the shooter, who is believed to have fled to India, though this remains under discussion.

Nurul Islam Saddam has been elected as the new president of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, while Sibgatullah Sibga has been appointed as the organization’s secretary general. The election took place on Friday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, where members of the organization voted to select the central leadership for the 2026 term.

According to the organization’s constitution, the newly elected president nominates the secretary general following the election. Sibgatullah previously served as the president of the Dhaka University branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir. The announcement marks the beginning of the organization’s new central leadership for the upcoming term.

The leadership transition follows the group’s internal electoral process, which determines its central committee for each term based on member votes and constitutional procedures.