Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has distributed around BDT 2 million in financial incentives to 21 churches across the capital ahead of Christmas. The initiative, funded from the administrator’s discretionary fund, aims to support religious events, social welfare activities, and community preparations for the holiday.

DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz extended greetings to all residents, emphasizing the city’s commitment to ensuring a safe and festive environment for people of all faiths. He stated that DNCC seeks to foster a multicultural, humane city where citizens of every religion and culture can live without fear or discrimination. The administrator reaffirmed that the corporation values civic harmony, tolerance, and mutual respect, pledging continued practical support for major religious festivals.

Similar financial assistance was previously provided by DNCC during Eid and Durga Puja, reflecting an ongoing policy of promoting interfaith cooperation and social inclusion within Dhaka’s diverse urban community.

BNP candidate for Nilphamari-4 constituency and Syedpur district BNP president, Principal Abdul Gafur Sarkar, announced that if the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) returns to power, it will ensure Bangladesh’s rightful share of Teesta River water from India. Speaking at a press briefing at Kishoreganj Press Club on Monday, he warned that if India delays, the issue could be taken to an international court.

Sarkar emphasized that his constituency is heavily dependent on agriculture and that fair access to Teesta water would transform local farming. He also outlined broader BNP plans, including introducing agricultural, family, and health cards, and creating employment opportunities for youth. The meeting was chaired by Abu Hasan Sheikh, president of the local press club, and attended by several BNP and community leaders.

The Teesta water-sharing issue has long been a sensitive bilateral matter between Bangladesh and India. Sarkar’s remarks reflect renewed political focus on water diplomacy ahead of upcoming national elections.

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on Dr. Md. Jalal Uddin, the BNP-nominated candidate for Chandpur-2 constituency, along with four others, in connection with allegations of amassing illegal wealth and laundering money abroad. The order was issued on Sunday, December 21, following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation officer. Senior Special Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun approved the request after reviewing the case documents and hearing the public prosecutor.

According to ACC Director General Md. Akhter Hossain, Dr. Jalal is the principal suspect in the case, which involves attempts to legalize illicit income through bank transfers and overseas remittances. The ACC argued that the accused might attempt to flee the country, potentially obstructing the ongoing investigation and evidence collection. The court accepted this reasoning and granted the travel restriction.

The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of election candidates’ financial transparency ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national polls. The ACC’s investigation continues under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, with further legal action expected if sufficient evidence is found.

National Democratic Party (JAGPA) Vice President and spokesperson Rashed Pradhan inaugurated a 'Pillar of Hatred' in Dhaka’s Paltan area on Monday, displaying photographs of those allegedly responsible for the killing of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The symbolic structure was unveiled ten days after Hadi was shot dead, with Pradhan condemning the interim government for failing to arrest the perpetrators.

During the event, Pradhan accused the authorities of negligence, saying that the planners, financiers, and executors of the murder remained at large. He expressed deep resentment on behalf of the people of Bangladesh and demanded that Box Culvert Road be renamed 'Shaheed Osman Hadi Road.' He also urged the government to permit the construction of a permanent memorial, pledging that it would be funded by citizens.

The incident has sparked renewed criticism of law enforcement’s slow progress in politically sensitive murder investigations, with opposition groups calling for greater accountability and transparency from the interim administration.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned comments made by Nurul Kabir, editor of the New Age newspaper, during a recent television talk show. In a statement issued Monday, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its publicity division, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, said the remarks were hurtful and based on misinformation. He rejected Kabir’s allegations that Jamaat or its affiliates were involved in violent acts or sought to delay elections for political gain.

Zubair emphasized that Jamaat’s leadership supports holding free and fair elections in February and dismissed claims that the party links religious beliefs with voting behavior. He described Kabir’s comments as undemocratic and divisive, urging responsible journalism and constructive criticism instead. The statement also refuted Kabir’s claim that Jamaat’s political evolution involved hypocrisy, calling such language inappropriate for a senior journalist.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between political parties and sections of the media ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming elections, where issues of faith, democracy, and political legitimacy remain highly sensitive.

BNP’s Dhaka-6 candidate and convener of the Nationalist Generation of Liberation War, Engineer Ishraq Hossain, has strongly criticized what he described as deliberate attempts to distort and demean Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. Speaking at a wreath-laying ceremony at the mausoleum of former President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, he said false and misleading narratives were being spread to obscure one party’s role in the war, calling such propaganda deeply condemnable.

Hossain urged unity among pro-democracy and nationalist groups, warning that internal divisions were enabling violence against patriots and allowing perpetrators to escape justice. He also accused the government of failing to implement necessary administrative and electoral reforms, alleging that it operates with the support of Prime Minister Hasina’s allies. Senior BNP leaders including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi attended the event.

He further requested prayers for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s recovery and announced a major gathering on December 25, inviting party members nationwide to join without obstruction.

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is set to announce a significant reshuffle in its advisory council on Tuesday, December 23, according to reliable sources. The move follows mounting criticism over the handling of the killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July uprising. Several advisers have faced public pressure and allegations of inaction or misconduct.

Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan recently resigned to contest upcoming elections, while Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam have come under fire for their roles in recent controversies. The failure to arrest the main suspect in Hadi’s killing and the early bail of an accused in a separate arms case have intensified demands for accountability.

The reshuffle marks another test for the 16-month-old interim administration that took power after the fall of a 15-year authoritarian regime. Analysts say the changes may aim to restore public trust and stabilize governance ahead of the planned national elections.

The central committee of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student wing) has suspended Mehedi Hasan Bandhan, literature and publication secretary of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) Chhatra Dal, for three months. The decision, announced in a press release signed by office secretary Md Jahangir Alam, cited organizational misconduct after Bandhan joined a protest rally demanding justice for the killing of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

The suspension followed a campus-wide demonstration on December 18, where students from various backgrounds protested Hadi’s shooting. While central Chhatra Dal leaders organized a separate rally, Bandhan’s participation in the earlier joint protest was deemed a breach of party discipline. NSTU Chhatra Dal president Zahid Hasan stated that the organization respects Hadi’s legacy but must uphold internal rules.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions within student political groups over participation in broader civic movements. Observers say the decision underscores the BNP student wing’s efforts to maintain centralized control amid growing campus activism.

At least ten people were injured on Monday evening in a violent clash between activists of the district unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student wing) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Shariatpur town. The confrontation occurred at the Chowrangi intersection following an argument over a motorcycle passing through an NCP protest march demanding justice for a local killing. Witnesses reported chase-and-counter-chase incidents and the explosion of crude bombs during the altercation.

Police and hospital sources confirmed that the injured, including several local leaders from both groups, were treated at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, while one was transferred to Dhaka for advanced care. Leaders from both sides blamed each other for initiating the violence. District police stated that the situation was brought under control shortly after their intervention and that the area is now calm.

Authorities have increased patrols in the town to prevent further unrest, while local political observers warned that recurring street confrontations between rival political groups could escalate ahead of upcoming national political activities.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has claimed that the recent wave of violent incidents across Bangladesh was not spontaneous but part of a deliberate political conspiracy. Speaking at a joint protest meeting titled “Bangladesh Affected by Mob Violence” at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, he said the attacks on media houses, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, were premeditated and aimed at destabilizing the political environment.

Islam alleged that the attackers exploited the slogans, names of martyrs, and language of the July uprising to justify their actions and generate social support for violence. He emphasized that thousands were involved, proving it was not an isolated event. According to him, the post-revolution law and order weakness allowed organized crimes to flourish, steering national politics and the upcoming elections toward a specific agenda.

The NCP leader expressed disappointment that the aspirations of the July movement to build a new Bangladesh have been derailed, urging accountability from those who initially led the movement.

Bangladesh Railway has announced that it will operate 20 special trains on ten routes on December 25 to facilitate travel for Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders, activists, and supporters arriving in Dhaka to welcome the party’s acting chairman, Tareque Rahman, upon his return to the country. The decision was confirmed in a statement issued by the Ministry of Railways on December 22.

According to the ministry, the move follows formal requests from BNP’s central and regional offices for additional transportation arrangements. Alongside the special trains, several regular services will receive extra coaches to accommodate increased passenger demand. The initiative is expected to generate approximately 3.6 million taka in revenue. However, three regular trains—Rajbari Commuter, Dhalarchar Express, and Rohanpur Commuter—will suspend operations for one day to support the special schedule.

The ministry expressed regret for any temporary inconvenience to passengers on affected routes. The special trains will operate on major routes including Cox’s Bazar, Khulna, Rajshahi, Jessore, and Panchagarh, ensuring nationwide connectivity for the event.

Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Saleh Hasan Nakib stated that Bangladesh today lacks individuals like Hadi, a 32-year-old activist remembered for his moral courage and popularity across social strata. Speaking at a seminar titled “A Guide in Building an Intellectual, Cultural and Just Bangladesh” organized by RAKSU at the university’s Senate Building, he emphasized that establishing justice requires self-reflection and personal struggle.

The Vice-Chancellor urged young people to embody Hadi’s values of fairness and humanity, warning that envy and division cannot advance the nation. Former Islamic University VC Professor Rafiqul Islam described Hadi as a key figure in the July uprising who transcended party lines to pursue a just social order. RAKSU Vice-President Mostakur Rahman Jahid vowed to resist domination and authoritarianism in the spirit of Hadi’s ideals.

The event highlighted growing calls among academics and students for moral leadership rooted in justice and equality, reflecting a broader yearning for ethical renewal in Bangladesh’s political and civic life.

Bangladesh has suspended visa services for Indian citizens through its High Commission in New Delhi, according to diplomatic sources on Monday, December 22, 2025. The move follows a series of tense exchanges between Dhaka and New Delhi after recent political and security incidents that have strained bilateral relations.

The decision comes amid growing friction following reports that India provided refuge to several former Bangladeshi political figures and military officers. Tensions rose further after the killing of activist Sharif Osman Bin Hadi earlier in December, which triggered nationwide protests in Bangladesh. Demonstrations also occurred outside the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, while extremist groups allegedly threatened Bangladesh’s envoy in Delhi.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian High Commissioner to protest the threats, prompting a reciprocal summons by India. Analysts view the visa suspension as a significant diplomatic signal that could affect cross-border travel, trade, and cooperation if the standoff continues.

Bangladesh police have arrested 44 leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations across the Rangpur division during a 24-hour operation named 'Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2'. The arrests took place between Sunday morning and Monday morning across seven districts, including Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Panchagarh.

According to Rangpur Range DIG Aminul Islam, those detained include several local leaders such as union presidents, general secretaries, and youth and student wing officials. Police stated that the detainees are accused in multiple cases related to murder, attempted murder, and anti-terrorism charges linked to the anti-discrimination student movement.

Authorities confirmed that the operation will continue, emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance toward banned political groups. The arrests mark one of the largest coordinated crackdowns in northern Bangladesh since the party’s activities were outlawed, signaling intensified enforcement ahead of potential political unrest.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will apply for voter registration on December 27, according to BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. He made the announcement after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission office in Agargaon on Monday.

Ahmed clarified that December 27 falls on a Saturday, when all Election Commission offices remain open during the election period, allowing Rahman to complete his voter registration or related formalities that day. Responding to questions about law and order, he emphasized that maintaining security is primarily the government’s responsibility, though the Election Commission has authority over official transfers during elections.

The BNP leader expressed hope for a peaceful and festive electoral environment, urging the government to ensure free and fair participation. He added that both the party and the public expect improved law and order as the election approaches.