Barrister Rafique Ahmed’s article, published on December 27, 2025, examines Bangladesh’s intelligence agencies and argues that they have become symbols of chronic institutional failure. He cites repeated intelligence breakdowns from the assassinations of national leaders to recent killings, describing them as evidence of deep structural and accountability crises. The author questions whether these failures are historical accidents or symptoms of an ongoing institutional epidemic.

The article identifies several core problems: excessive focus on data collection over analysis, political misuse of intelligence for partisan surveillance, lack of inter-agency coordination, and weak counter-intelligence against foreign espionage. It also highlights impunity for intelligence-linked killings and inadequate professional training in cyber and psychological operations. Ahmed calls for depoliticization, transparency, and a supervisory board including government, opposition, civil society, and experts to ensure accountability.

He concludes that minor reforms will not suffice and urges a fundamental transformation of Bangladesh’s intelligence structure—technological modernization, ethical training, and a renewed mission centered solely on national security.

An informal eight-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is making strong efforts to maintain unity ahead of the upcoming election through seat-sharing arrangements. Despite complications over finalizing single candidates in various constituencies, leaders expect the issues to be resolved soon. Discussions are also underway to include additional parties such as the NCPC in the coalition. Multiple meetings were held on Friday, with further talks scheduled for Saturday, and final decisions are expected within a few days.

The alliance, which evolved from an issue-based movement platform, includes Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Andolan, Nezame Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP). A liaison committee began selecting single candidates for each seat on December 9, and the process is now in its final stage. However, disputes over the number of seats allocated to each party have delayed the final agreement.

Leaders, including Maulana Mamunul Haque and Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, expressed optimism that the alliance will remain intact and that discussions with new parties are progressing. They expect the seat-sharing deal to be finalized within two to four days.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh last Thursday after 17 years in exile, drawing massive crowds and widespread attention. Political analysts described his homecoming as a positive development for both the BNP and the country, noting that his speech at the reception inspired hope and a sense of renewal. Rahman called for national unity and urged the youth to dream of building a new Bangladesh, referencing the vision of Martin Luther King Jr. He also paid tribute at the National Martyrs’ Memorial and at the grave of his father, late President Ziaur Rahman, and is expected to contest the next parliamentary election from Bogura-6.

Analysts including Professor M Shahiduzzaman, Dr Dilara Chowdhury, Dr Mahbub Ullah, and others viewed his return as filling a leadership void and sparking optimism among citizens. They praised his non-confrontational tone and emphasis on unity, while acknowledging that his plans face significant challenges. Some noted that his political proposals, including earlier 27- and 31-point agendas, could be strengthened further to meet national aspirations.

Observers expect Rahman’s leadership to shape BNP’s future direction and influence Bangladesh’s political landscape ahead of the next election.

Multiple Islamic scholars remain imprisoned for years due to disputed charge sheets in the murder case of former finance minister Shah A.M.S. Kibria. According to the report, three separate charge sheets were filed in the lower court, each differing from the others. The third, submitted in 2015 by CID officer Meherunnesa Parul, added several prominent scholars allegedly to show links with opposition and militancy. Among them, two died mysteriously in custody, while others, including Mufti Abdul Hai and Mufti Shafiqur Rahman, remain detained.

The investigation officer later admitted under oath that political pressure influenced the inclusion of certain accused and that she was rewarded by the then government for filing the false charge sheet. Kibria’s son, Reza Kibria, accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates of manipulating the case for political motives. Legal experts and academics have called for an independent committee to review politically sensitive cases involving innocent scholars.

Experts argue that repeated charge sheet changes and prolonged detentions indicate a justice system driven by political suspicion rather than evidence, urging immediate re-investigation and fair resolution.

In Dhaka’s Shahbagh area, protesters have continued a late-night blockade demanding justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, who was shot on December 12 and later died in Singapore. Despite freezing winter temperatures, men, women, children, and the elderly gathered under makeshift tents, chanting slogans for justice. The demonstrators vowed not to leave until the trial for Hadi’s killing begins.

Inquilab Moncho announced that the blockade would continue day and night until judicial proceedings start. Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber stated that no assurance would end the protest unless a trial begins within 30 working days. The group reiterated three demands: formation of a special tribunal to complete the trial within 30 days, an impartial investigation by an internationally recognized agency, and resignation of the home adviser and others responsible for the incident.

The protest followed a rally after Friday prayers from Dhaka University’s central mosque to Shahbagh, joined by students, political activists, and citizens. Emotional participants said they sought justice, not politics, and would remain until accountability is ensured.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has made major revisions to Bangladesh’s 2026 academic textbooks, emphasizing the July Revolution, its background, events, and the sacrifices of students and citizens. The new editions also include accounts of the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government and the end of fascism, along with improvements in overall quality. Officials said the changes follow widespread criticism of last year’s textbooks and were made under recommendations from a high-level committee.

According to NCTB sources, the revised content spans grades six to ten, particularly in the Bangladesh and World Identity and Civics books, which now present a broader political history. The eighth-grade book’s third chapter has been renamed “Bangladesh’s Liberation War and Democratic Struggle,” expanding coverage from the 1990 uprising to the July Revolution and Hasina’s downfall. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s March 7 speech has been removed from the eighth-grade Bangla literature book.

NCTB officials said printing and distribution are ongoing, with all students expected to receive the new books at the start of the academic year despite production challenges.

Hotels in Siliguri, Malda, and Cooch Behar districts of West Bengal have imposed a ban on Bangladeshi guests, displaying notices that prohibit their entry. The decision, announced by local hotel owners’ associations, was reportedly taken in protest against alleged persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and recent tensions along the border. Leaders of the associations said the move also follows the suspension of passport and visa services from Bangladesh.

The Malda Hotel Owners’ Association president stated that no Bangladeshi guests would be allowed to stay in district hotels, citing concerns over the situation in Bangladesh. Similarly, the Cooch Behar association said it halted services for Bangladeshi citizens after India suspended visa facilities. In Siliguri, the local association confirmed that 180 hotels under its jurisdiction have implemented the restriction, withdrawing earlier exemptions for medical and educational visitors.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed the move, while the Trinamool Congress described it as an independent decision by hotel owners. Critics argued that such actions reflect growing hostility toward Bangladesh and could harm bilateral relations.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman visited the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar on Friday night to pay tribute to the heroes of the 1971 Liberation War. He arrived at the memorial around 10 p.m., accompanied by senior party leaders and numerous activists. Earlier in the evening, at 4:42 p.m., he placed flowers at the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and offered prayers.

Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after 17 years in London. His arrival drew massive crowds from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the 36 July Expressway area, turning Dhaka into a sea of people. Later that day, he addressed a large reception on the 36 July Expressway, outlining his vision for a safe and discrimination-free Bangladesh where citizens of all faiths and communities would enjoy equal security.

Following his return, his visit to the National Memorial marked one of his first public tributes, symbolizing respect for the nation’s liberation heroes and reaffirming his political re-engagement.

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.