Speaking virtually at the biennial conference of the Sri Sri Janmashtami Celebration Council Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman emphasized that without the rule of law, neither the majority nor the minority is safe. He stated that only a system based on justice can ensure security for all. He urged vigilance against the political exploitation of religious communities, asserting that most attacks on minorities in Bangladesh were not driven by religion but by political motives, greed, and personal gains.

Protestors at Rajju Bhaskar have accused the Awami League of conspiring to destabilize the nation’s democratic transition by spreading propaganda against the Bangladesh Army. They warned that before the aspirations of the July Revolution are fulfilled, the Awami League might attempt to rehabilitate itself by creating a rift between the military and the public, leading to possible fascist actions and Indian aggression. Citing the army’s role, they claimed that the fascist government had attempted to suppress students and the public through indiscriminate killings. When the army refused to follow orders to kill students and civilians, a revolution led by the army and the public emerged after 49 years. The protestors have called for the army’s participation in the new political arrangement, demanding recognition for their contributions.

Despite the fall of fascism, the whereabouts of student leader Saifur Rahman Sajib (40) remain unknown. Sajib was abducted on February 18, 2015, from the Kuril Bishwa Road by members of RAB-1, and he has not been heard from since. His mother and wife continue to await his return, and they find solace in their son Rizwan. The family has visited the police, DGFI, and RAB offices, but to no avail. His mother shared that they continue to live in the same rented house, hoping that Sajib will return and find them there.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has welcomed the National Citizens Party. Jamaat’s Secretary-General Miah Golam Parwar expressed hope that there will be an open channel for dialogue with the new party. When asked about the possibility of forming an alliance or engaging in discussions, Parwar stated that the door for dialogue will always be open, and that possibility exists with the new party as well.

In his inaugural speech at the launch event of the National Citizens’ Party, General Secretary Akhtar Hossain called for prayers, asking for divine guidance for the youth of Bangladesh who have taken up significant responsibilities. He said, “May the Almighty grant us the strength to fulfill our duties.” He also expressed hope for a future where Bangladesh is governed by a new constitution, and concluded his speech by calling for constituent assembly elections. Following his address, Nahid Islam, the party’s convener, read out the official declaration of the National Citizens’ Party.

Abdul Hannan Masud, Senior Joint Chief Coordinator of the National Citizens Party, expressed optimism for a democratic future in Bangladesh. He stated that the youth will lead the country toward a Bangladesh free from extortion and illegal occupations. He assured that, unlike in the past, elections will no longer be held under the cover of night. Masud also pledged that political parties will work together to build a new Bangladesh. Reflecting on the past, he noted the sacrifices made by mothers and sisters during the Liberation War in 1971, while criticizing the rule of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from 1972 to 1975, as well as the oppressive 17 years of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule. Masud condemned the violence under Hasina’s regime, promising a better future for the country.

Arif Sohel, the secretary-general of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, declared that the people of Bengal will no longer accept slavery to any elite group. He emphasized that the people of Bangladesh have never bowed down and have risen up repeatedly, citing 1947 and 1971 as examples. He mentioned that through every struggle, the nation’s identity has evolved. Sohel further stated that during the mass uprising of 2024, the people of Bangladesh will reject any form of subjugation. He also revealed that his organization, Janak, has formed a new political party to advocate for the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan has called on the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to surrender its weapons, potentially ending a 40-year-long conflict with Turkey and bringing stability to the region. A delegation from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party met with Öcalan at his island prison on Thursday and later released a statement. In a letter, Öcalan stated, “I am calling for disarmament” and urged the PKK to formally dissolve itself through a congress. Turkey, the U.S., the EU, and other entities classify the PKK as a terrorist organization. Since the group launched its armed struggle for Kurdish self-rule in 1984, more than 40,000 people have been killed. While the PKK initially fought for an independent Kurdish state, its demands have since shifted to regional autonomy.

On Friday, a Chhatra League activist was detained by university students while writing “Joy Bangla” on the wall of Jagannath University. The arrested individual has been identified as Rezwanul Kabir Chayon (31). He was apprehended by students at the university’s main gate during the ongoing admission exams. After his detention, Chayon stated, “I only wrote Joy Bangla. I didn’t write it anywhere else on the walls of Jagannath. No one asked me to write it; I did it on my own.” Following the arrest, the university’s proctor assisted in handing him over to the police. Students have accused Chayon of attempting to create unrest and disrupt law and order, in line with the program of the ruling political party.

Tonight, in a political event held on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital, a new political party emerged from the youth who led the people’s uprising. At the inauguration ceremony, Nahid Islam, the convener of the newly formed “National Citizens’ Party” and former Information Adviser, declared, “There will be no place for pro-India or pro-Pakistan political parties in Bangladesh.” Leaders from various parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, attended the event.

During the inauguration ceremony on Friday afternoon, Hasnat Abdullah, a prominent leader of the “National Citizens’ Party,” stated, “We will rise above divisive politics and introduce a politics of unity.” He emphasized, “After enduring the rule of Awami Jahiliyat for one and a half decades, we are now free. This long period was marked by a culture of impunity. During the Indian aggression, BDR members were killed. A genocide was carried out on our brothers under the cover of darkness at Shapla Chattar.” He added, “We have seen the culture of rigged votes, both at night and during the day. The working class will decide who enters parliament.” Hasnat further pledged, “We promise to build independent and effective institutions. We will not engage in divisive politics but will work towards unity.”

The National Citizens Party, formed under the leadership of young people from the mass uprising, has been officially launched. Former Information Adviser Nahid Islam has been appointed as the convenor of the new party, while Akhtar Hossain has been named the member secretary. The announcement was made at Manik Mia Avenue by Shaheed Mohammad Ismail Hossain Rabbir’s sister, Maim Akhter. Maim shared an emotional note, saying, “In history, we have never seen a sister carrying her brother’s corpse; we carried our brother’s corpse on our shoulders.”

Kamrul Hasan Khokon, former central office secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League and central sub-committee assistant secretary of the Awami League, has been arrested after a video of his controversial statement went viral. In the video, he claimed, “Only 300 votes are cast, but by evening, it becomes 3,000.”

Police arrested him on Thursday from Dhaka. According to Adabor Police Station, the former student leader was taken into custody on Thursday night. Authorities have stated that the case against him is politically motivated and is registered as Case No. 18. His family has reported that Khokon is a stroke patient and also suffers from mental health issues.

A new political party, the National Citizen Party, is being formed under the leadership of young activists from the mass uprising. The leadership of the party was already present on stage at the event. Young leaders Mohammad Nahid Islam, Hasnat Abdullah, Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwari, Samantha Sharmin, and Akhtar Hossain, among others, were seen on stage. However, no official announcements were made regarding the positions of the new party members. The event began with the screening of two documentaries. This political party is the result of the coordinated efforts of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee.

Leaders from various political parties and diplomats attended the inauguration of the National Citizens Party. BNP leaders Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny arrived at the venue on Manik Mia Avenue. Also present were Miah Golam Parwar, Secretary-General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with politicians Zunayed Saki, Jalaluddin Ahmed, Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Ahmed Ali Kashemi, General Shakhawat Hossain Razi, Amir Nurul Islam Bulbul, and Abdul Mannan. Additionally, Kamran Dangal, the political counselor of the Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka, was also present.