Pabna-3 MP Muhammad Ali Asghar said “July 36” cannot be erased from people’s hearts and that people must live carrying the spirit of July. He made the remarks on Friday night at the opening day of a July remembrance programme organised by the Chhatmohar upazila branch of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir at the historic Baluchar field in Chhatmohar municipal area, Pabna. He said he could not have become an MP without July, and others could not have become prime minister, minister, speaker or deputy speaker.

Asghar said July fighters gave their lives to build a Bangladesh based on justice and showed the country a dream. He said some of those who died could have become doctors, engineers, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police or secretaries. He described the July movement as not belonging only to Jamaat, Shibir or BNP, but to students and people seeking a discrimination-free Bangladesh.

The MP called for a legal basis for a referendum and implementation of the July charter, saying leaders could not go against the public. He said Abu Sayed and Mugdha gave their lives for a Bangladesh against extortion and drugs and for changes in policy. Other speakers included Maulana Habibur Rahman and several local figures.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam said his party would lay siege to Petrobangla if gas prices are raised, while criticizing the government’s energy policy and the country’s overall situation. In remarks published on August 1, 2026, he said no government could remain in power by disregarding the verdict of 70 percent of the country’s people. He said Dhaka residents would also take to the streets against rising commodity and energy prices.

Nahid Islam also raised the case of Alif, a teenager injured in an attack in Habiganj. He said Alif had completely lost sight in one eye and that the other eye was also at risk. According to doctors, the prospect of restoring vision in the affected eye is very limited, with further details expected after a medical board meeting. He alleged that the government had not checked on Alif after three days and that no organizational or legal action had been taken against those involved.

The NCP announced protest marches across the country, including in the capital, against severe gas shortages affecting homes, factories and transport, as well as what it called a plot to raise prices. A protest gathering is scheduled at SAARC Fountain in Karwanbazar, with NCP spokesperson and DSCC mayoral candidate Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and senior joint convener and DNCC mayoral candidate Ariful Islam Adib expected to attend.

Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP) alleged that its convoy carrying central leaders was attacked and vandalised after its July march programme in Jaintapur, Sylhet. The incident occurred around 10:45pm on Friday in the Haripur Bazar area, according to the report. NCP chief coordinator Muhammad Nasiruddin Patwary and another person, Redwan, were said to have been injured.

Jubayer Ahmad, convenor of the Sylhet metropolitan unit of Chhatra Shakti, an NCP affiliate, said a group of 40 to 50 people threw bricks and stones at the moving vehicles. He said the attack took place after the convoy passed Haripur Bazar and before it reached Chikanagul, following a road meeting in Jaintapur. Vehicle windows were broken, and the two injured people received primary treatment.

A Facebook post by Nasiruddin Patwary also claimed that an attack had occurred. However, details of the injured people’s physical condition were not available. Jaintapur Model Police Station officer-in-charge Golam Dastagir Ahmed denied that the incident had occurred, saying those making the claim had not told the truth.

Former Islami Chhatra Shibir president Zahidul Islam has explained his position after debate over a social media post, alleging that a “deep power” is influencing political forces in Bangladesh. In remarks published on August 1, 2026, he said conspiracies were under way to erase the July mass uprising and called for unity among forces that support it.

Islam said he had described attacks in Habiganj and Moulvibazar as planned, but had not named the NCP or BNP as planners. He said the “deep power” was not controlled by any political party but used different parties for its own interests. He also said Chhatra Shibir and Jamaat had stood beside the NCP and July fighters after attacks in the post-July period.

He alleged efforts to create competition between the NCP and Jamaat, and to intensify disputes among opposition parties, in order to weaken forces aligned with July. Islam described the BNP as a key partner in the anti-fascist struggle and expressed hope it would act responsibly as a democratic party. He said unity among Jamaat, the BNP, the NCP and other patriotic political forces was vital for a new Bangladesh.

NCP Rangpur divisional organising secretary and Kurigram-2 lawmaker Dr Atiq Mujahid alleged that BNP members carried out a surprise attack on National Citizen Party activists after a peaceful protest march in Fulbaria, Kurigram. He made the allegation on Friday night while visiting an injured NCP leader at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

Mujahid met injured activists, asked about their physical condition and spoke with relevant people about their treatment. He assured them that the party would stand beside them. He also alleged that the administration was remaining silent in many cases and, in some places, was not taking appropriate action even after complaints. He said failures and inaction were visible at different levels of the administration.

Referring to the Fulbaria incident, Mujahid said Chhatra Shakti general secretary Shawon was attacked while leaving after the peaceful march. He said Shawon's nose was split, his eye was injured and he suffered a serious head injury. Mujahid called for peaceful political campaigning and democratic methods, saying the struggle against those he described as terrorists would continue.

Ganosamhati Andolon political council member and State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki said a democratic transition cannot proceed at this stage without minimum national consensus. He made the remarks on Friday at a July public rally organised by the party at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital, marking two years since the July mass uprising. Saki said efforts would be made to implement political and constitutional reforms in line with the mandate he said voters had given for implementation of the July National Charter.

He said the government should ensure rights and dignity in state life for every person regardless of class, religion, ethnicity or gender identity. Saki warned that, after nationalist fascism had been driven out, another form of fascism was seeking to divide people through religious and other narratives. He said such forces were trying to create public tension while the government pursued the aspirations of July.

The rally was inaugurated by Ayesha Bibi, mother of slain Zulfiqar Ahmed Shakil, and began with silence in memory of those killed. Acting chief coordinator Dewan Abdur Rashid Nilu said the interim government had responsibilities for justice, reform and elections. While election and justice processes had begun, he said the group was disappointed by progress on reforms and hoped the government would complete them promptly.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said Bangladesh must be specially prepared to confront challenges posed by Indian dominance because of its geography and long border. He made the remarks at a global diaspora conference organized by the NCP Global Diaspora Cell on Google Meet on Tuesday night, marking the July mass uprising. The party announced the remarks on Friday.

Opposing all forms of dominance, Nahid said India’s influence in Bangladesh differs from other forms of dominance. He alleged that the Awami League government remained in power for a long time with India’s direct support, and that issues including Bangladesh’s fair share of river water and border killings reflected attempts to turn the country into a tributary state.

Nahid called for diaspora Bangladeshis to receive proper voting rights and take active roles in national development and state-building. He said the aspirations for state change cannot be met merely by holding elections, stressing implementation of the July Charter and fundamental reforms in the judiciary, administration, police and economic structure. More than 400 expatriate Bangladeshis from various countries and NCP leaders and activists attended the conference.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said work is under way to establish an acceptable media commission aimed at ensuring accountability in the media and an environment for professional journalism. He said a draft for the proposed commission would be prepared within a short time. Swapan made the remarks on Friday afternoon at a discussion meeting at the Barishal Circuit House.

The meeting was organised by the Barishal Television and Multimedia Association and the district committee for preventing harassment of journalists. The minister expressed hope that an acceptable commission could be formed with everyone’s cooperation. He said the body would create a strong framework to encourage honest journalism and establish effective resistance against dishonest journalism.

Participants discussed journalists’ professional responsibilities, media freedom, accountability and measures to ensure a safe working environment for journalists. Representatives from the association, the journalists’ harassment prevention committee, Barishal press clubs and various media outlets attended the meeting.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has expressed concern over reports that teachers and students from Qawmi educational institutions are increasingly leaning toward Jamaat-e-Islami after several well-known Qawmi scholars joined the party. On July 16, leaders of seven Islamic parties from the Qawmi tradition held a discussion meeting at Jamea Azizul Uloom Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, at the call of Hefazat chief Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari.

The meeting, chaired by Babunagari, included leaders from Hefazat and several Islamic groups, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Nezam-e-Islam Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Khelafat Andolan, Khelafat Majlish and Islami Andolon. Participants were given a message to move forward in unity, and leaders of the parties agreed to remain united.

A person present at the meeting said some students had joined Jamaat because Qawmi scholars were allied with it, and that the number could rise. Hefazat vice amir Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasemi said the issue was not on the formal agenda but arose in discussion. He said many scholars still do not regard Jamaat as an Islamic party of the righteous, while Qawmi youths’ reported tilt toward BNP was not discussed.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inspected several areas of Dhaka North City Corporation on Friday as part of efforts to build the capital into a clean city. He reviewed waste management, cleanliness operations, tree planting, greening, drainage and broader urban management. During the visit, he expressed dissatisfaction with several aspects of the city corporation’s work, identified existing problems and instructed those concerned to address them quickly and effectively.

Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony confirmed the visit. He said the prime minister summoned the state minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives and the DNCC administrator to his Gulshan residence before leaving at about 3:30pm. Driving himself, Rahman toured locations including ECB Chattar, Mirpur DOHS, Diabari, Uttara, Airport Road, Mohakhali, Farmgate, Mohammadpur, Shyamoli, Mirpur and Banani.

During the inspection, the prime minister gave necessary guidance to relevant officials and people responsible for the services. State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Milton, BNP special secretary Belayet Hossain, Principal Secretary Mehedul Islam and Assistant Personal Secretary Abdur Rahman Sani were present. Rahman returned to his Gulshan residence after completing the inspection.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir held its 14th Youth Summit in Dhaka on July 31, 2026, bringing together selected higher-secondary students who achieved GPA-5 in SSC and Dakhil examinations. The daylong event took place at the Shaheed A N M Najibuddin Khan Khurram Auditorium of Dhaka College under a theme calling for the integration of spirituality with skills to lead the world.

Chief guest and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman said young people need spiritual strength and modern skills alongside academic excellence to lead Bangladesh in the future. He stressed self-purification as a prerequisite for a corruption-free society, warning that talented people without principles cause the greatest social harm. He also recalled Shaheed Abu Sayeed and urged efforts to build a beautiful, discrimination-free country.

Special guest Mia Golam Parwar urged students to focus fully on studies and use phones, the internet and social media responsibly for knowledge and character building. In the closing session, Shibir president Nurul Islam said career success and skill development cannot be sustainable without a strong ethical foundation. The summit included sessions on careers, academics, skills, time management and leadership.

Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain said some family cards will reach every village by December. Speaking in Nawabganj, Dinajpur, he said additional cards would be distributed next year and that everyone would receive them over the next three years. Farmer cards would also be issued through a similar process, he said.

The minister made the remarks on Friday after inaugurating a tree-planting campaign and tree fair at the Nawabganj উপজেলা পরিষদ premises. The event was organized by the উপজেলা administration and the Forest Department. He described the current government as highly humane, said it would stand beside every person, and asked for public cooperation.

Officials and local political leaders attended, including উপজেলা নির্বাহী অফিসার Bidhan Kanti Haldar, OC Abdul Quddus, উপজেলা engineer Hossain Ali, Dinajpur BNP vice-president Atikur Rahman Raja, and Forest Department officials. The minister distributed sewing machines to beneficiaries from small ethnic communities, educational scholarships to students, and cheques to needy and meritorious students. He also inaugurated beautification work at the উপজেলা পরিষদ auditorium.

Palestinian groups have rejected US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a purported Gaza peace and disarmament agreement, calling it incorrect and inconsistent with realities on the ground. In the report published July 31, representatives said any discussion of weapons handover or security arrangements in Gaza could be considered only after a full Israeli military withdrawal and an end to aggression.

Palestinian representatives said talks had made some progress, but the arrangement described by Trump had not been finalized. Fundamental issues remain unresolved, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the blockade from Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian aid access, and the durability of a ceasefire. Trump had earlier described an “historic” understanding on disarming armed Palestinian groups and a phased Israeli withdrawal.

Trump said Egypt, Qatar and Turkey had acted as mediators and that the process could pave the way for a new administrative structure in Gaza. Palestinian groups said disarmament is not a preliminary condition, but a possible later step contingent on Israel implementing commitments, particularly troop withdrawal and an end to military operations. Reports cited by the article said Israel views disarmament as a precondition for withdrawal, while Palestinians insist withdrawal must come first.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said citizenship, rather than religious identity, should be the core foundation of the Bangladeshi state. He made the remarks on July 31 as chief guest at a discussion meeting and representatives’ conference on minority protection and security, organised by Sammilito Sanatan Parishad at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital. He said there was no scope for division in Bangladesh in the name of religion and that people of all faiths have equal rights and dignity.

The minister said Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians have lived in harmony in the region for centuries. Addressing the Sanatan community, he said he did not regard them as minorities, but as children and citizens of the country. He described the Liberation War as a struggle for freedom, dignity and economic emancipation for all people, and called for a democratic, non-communal and humane Bangladesh.

Alamgir urged people to remain united against efforts to create religious divisions and damage communal harmony. He said extremism and fundamentalism have no place in Bangladesh. He also said the government had taken steps to protect the lives, property and places of worship of followers of all religions, including by providing support and security during Durga Puja, Rath Yatra and other religious events. He encouraged the Sanatan community to present its concerns and demands in an organised manner.

Dhaka University’s public relations office has drawn criticism after a weekly activities statement described a Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal programme as an action of the university administration. The statement, edited by public relations director Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, was published on Thursday and later emailed to students. Its 26th point referred to Dhaka South City Corporation administrator Abdus Salam handing over a fogger machine to the provost of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.

The handover took place at 4pm on 28 July at an event organised with the cooperation of the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal. Abdus Salam delivered two mosquito-control fogger machines to the authorities of Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. Chhatra Dal leaders cited waterlogging, increased mosquito infestation and the seasonal risk of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Rafiqul Islam said the programme was included because it benefited students, adding that the office would be more careful if criticism concerned naming Chhatra Dal. DUCSU vice-president Sadiq Kayem said including a political student organisation’s programme in the administration’s regular statement raised questions about professionalism and represented clear bias.